There is currently a service review being carried out about the Library Service in Birmingham. The review is being carried out to give Constituencies an overview of how the service in libraries across the city are being run and how they can make savings if an individual constituency decided to. In Birmingham Library Services is a devolved service, so each constituency decides the level of funding and how an individual library is operated. In Erdington Constituency, there are currently 7 Labour Councillors, 4 Conservatives and 1 Lib Dem. The Constituency is, therefore, Labour controlled and they choose how to spend the budget for local devolved services like Libraries.
Cllr Bob Beauchamp (Erdington, Conservative) said “This review has gone on for so long that is becoming quite clear that it could be used to reduce services at a library if a constituency choose to do this. Clearly, it is totally unacceptable to see any loss in service at Erdington Library. The staff do a terrific job and are very much appreciated by ourselves and the local community”.
Cllr Gareth Moore (Erdington, Conservative) commented “We are keen to ensure that our local library service is protected, so far we have:-
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Met with the Head of Library’s in Erdington and the Constituency manager
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Met with the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture and the officers in charge of the service review to put forward the case for protecting Erdington Library.
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Spoken to staff and library users about their views on the future of the service.
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Spoken to the Leader and deputy leader of the City Council to demand that the Library service is protected.
We will of course be continuing our fight in the coming weeks and months as well”
Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward Chairman, Conservative) added “it is totally and utterly unacceptable for there to be any reduction in the world class service that is operated at Erdington Library. It is a vital part of our Community that ensures that residents of all ages are able to get the help and information that is needed”.