Political opinion: Reprieve for Rottingdean Library
Thanks to the hard work of the Save Our Library campaign group and the residents of Rottingdean, it is now expected that Rottingdean Library will be saved from closure, subject to confirmation at the Council Cabinet meeting on 11th December. This is thanks to all those people who signed the petitions, responded to the consultations, and attended meetings to fight this proposal from the Council.
Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats welcome this news, as the library should never have been threatened with closure in the first place. It is astonishing that a Labour administration should go against all the rhetoric of its own government to suggest closing a library for a mere £25,000 a year. The money to keep it open must have been found somewhere, but the answer to that question has not been revealed yet.
Stewart Stone, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven said, “Rottingdean Library is a much loved and thriving library and should never have been threatened with closure.It is down to the tireless campaigning of the local community that it has been saved.”
Ben Dempsey, candidate for Sussex Mayor for the Liberal Democrats commented, “Libraries bring so much joy. They open up the world for our children, as I know from taking my own kids, and provide huge benefits for our communities.
“I was delighted to sign the petition to save Rottingdean Library and am so pleased it has succeeded. Congratulations to everyone in the community on their success.”
And what of Westdene and Hollingbury libraries? Are they still to be victims of closure?There is no certainty about these two smaller local libraries and no mention of the threatened reduction of opening hours at Jubilee and Hove libraries. It’s not over yet.
Brighton and Hove Lib Dems urge the Council to stop all cuts and closures of our libraries across the city to keep libraries at the heart of our communities.