Libraries judicial review - no result for 'two weeks to two months' (From This is The West Country)

Libraries judicial review - no result for 'two weeks to two months'

7:00pm Wednesday 5th October 2011 in News

Members of Watchet Library Friends and Friends of Somerset Libraries outside the court building

THE judicial review into plans to close libraries across Somerset and Gloucestershire has ended but the result will not be known for several weeks.

The three-day hearing at the High Court in Birmingham ended with the judge reserving his decision for between two weeks and two months.

The injunction against closures of static libraries granted on July 22 will remain in place until a judgement is handed down.

The legal action was brought about by campaigners fighting the proposals in the two counties and was attended by members of Watchet Library Friends and Friends of Somerset Libraries.

They hope that the outcome will see their library saved from Somerset County Council’s plan to withdraw its funding along with ten other libraries across the county.

Jan Simpson-Scott, spokesperson for Watchet Library Friends, said: “Both Dan Carey, solicitor with Public Interest Lawyers representing the claimants, and Kay Hoskins, chair of Friends of Somerset Libraries, said that they were delighted with the thoroughness with which our barrister had presented the case.

“Although no-one can second guess what a judge will decide, they were optimistic of a good result, with the judge having stated that he will carefully consider and weigh up all the arguments in this complex case.”

Cllr Christine Lawrence, cabinet member for community services at Somerset County Council, said she was ‘unable to comment until we have the judge’s ruling on the case’ but added: “We look forward to having this issue resolved and we are aware that many other councils are also watching closely to see if a fuller legal definition of library provision is reached.”