Following confirmation that Havering Council has not yet decided the future of five library sites earmarked for closure, Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, has written again to the Leader of the Council to reiterate her opposition to the proposals. In her letter, she has called for the project to be suspended until this necessary work has been completed.

In May, Mrs Lopez published an initial response to the Council’s proposals to close four of the borough’s ten libraries, including sites at Harold Wood and Elm Park, now just outside of the Hornchurch & Upminster constituency. This can be viewed here.

In her initial remarks, Julia confirmed that she opposed the plans on the grounds that the projected savings were modest compared to the impact the closures would have upon local communities.

Mrs Lopez pressed the Council Leader for additional information on the Council’s plans for library sites after closure. She asked whether any potential redevelopment plans include the provision of libraries and if the Council’s plans would change following the retention of Hornchurch Police Station, or if there were to be an uptick in business rate receipts.

In his response [see below], Cllr. Ray Morgon advised that the Council’s Cabinet has not discussed the potential uses of the library sites post-closure, including whether it is possible for library facilities to be reinstated on any redeveloped site.

The Leader did advise that the Council is undertaking a broader piece of work to look at the public estate within the borough to identify opportunities for mixed use facilities, though a timescale for this work was not provided. While the Leader did confirm that projected increases in business rates could offset the requirement to make savings, it would not be possible to defer this decision till then.

Having considered Cllr. Morgon’s response, Mrs Lopez responded to the Council Leader, reiterating her objections to the proposal, noting her surprise that the Council has had no strategic discussion about what comes next for the library sites, as this may determine whether the closures are necessary.

Mrs Lopez said:

“Through my interactions with constituents, pupils and teachers at Harold Wood Primary School and local media coverage, it is clear that residents care deeply about their library services and are worried about the impact of the proposed closures upon their communities.

“I believe that the Council’s approach, looking to close libraries before commencing considerations as to what might follow afterwards, is fundamentally flawed and severely inhibits residents’ ability to give balanced responses to the consultation the Council has just completed. Given this, I repeat my earlier calls for the Council to suspend its consideration of these proposals until they, and residents, can have informed discussions on what would follow.”