LIKE other libraries in the Forest and across the county threatened with closure, Newnham Library has been given enormous support by local residents, and there have, in addition, been warnings from retired professional librarians, lawyers and some county councillors that these library closures may be illegal.
A High Court injunction has now been issued banning GCC from progressing with its plans until a court hearing today (July 7).
We think it's important to correct the statement from Mark Hawthorne, the Leader of Gloucestershire Council, reacting to this injunction.
He said: "We have immediately asked for and have been granted a hearing on July 7 to challenge this decision."
This is untrue – the date was set by the courts, and GCC has been ordered to appear, not to challenge the injunction but for the judge to decide whether the case goes to court.
Mark Hawthorne also said that community groups are 'excited' to be given the 'opportunity' to take on their libraries, and that these groups are 'frustrated' at the disruption that the legal challenge may cause to these plans.
This is not the case with Newnham nor, we're sure, with other communities in the same position.
We have submitted a business plan to run the branch as a community library, fearing that we would otherwise have no library at all, but Newnham residents would much rather the library stayed within the county council system.
Anna Fedden
Newnham Library Group