Library campaigners call on the Welsh Government to step in after High Court defeat

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Campaigners fighting against library closure plans have called on the Welsh Government to step in after losing a High Court challenge against Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Lawyers representing campaigner Susanne Girdler, of the Save Abertridwr Library Group, have written to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams urging them to intervene.

Caerphilly Council wants to close ten libraries – in Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Deri, Llanbradach, Machen, Nelson, Oakdale and Pengam – and develop the seven remaining branches as ‘hubs’, where book-borrowing would continue alongside other public services.

The council argues it can deliver a better service and save money by moving to the hub model, but community members potentially affected by the closures claim they would be losing valued local assets.

At the end of August, a High Court judge dismissed the group’s judicial review against the council’s library strategy. However, the ruling noted that Welsh ministers hold the power to monitor and enforce library standards across Wales.

The campaign group, which intends to appeal the court decision, claims the planned closures risk worsening digital exclusion and cutting off access to services for residents in valley communities.

In the letter sent on Monday, lawyers from Harding Evans Solicitors asked ministers to clarify what steps they will take to ensure Caerphilly Council meets its legal duty to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service, particularly in rural and low-income areas.

During the court case, the judge noted that the Welsh Government had not formally intervened or objected to the council’s strategy, pointing to mapping analysis which suggested the proposed network met national location targets.

Campaigners argue that national standards fail to account for poor local public transport links and the impact of branch closures on vulnerable residents.

Mariam Kamish, the secretary of Caerphilly Trades Union Council who is playing a key role in the campaign to save the at-risk libraries, said last month: “Thanks to our campaign, Caerphilly Council has been forced to keep all ten libraries open a year longer than they intended. The fight continues – our communities need these libraries.”

She added: “Council elections are coming next May, and people are tired of not being listened to.”

Ms Kamish said she believed councillors should “demand the additional funding they need” from the Welsh Government “and set a no-cuts budget, or stand aside for genuine socialists who will”.