LIBRARIES IN THE WIRRAL

That this House condemns the proposal put forward by the Liberal Democrat/Labour coalition on Wirral Borough Council to close 13 libraries across the borough, as well as the Wirral Transport Museum and the Pacific Road Arts Centre; notes that two of the libraries earmarked for closure serve two of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK; further notes that Birkenhead Central Library, a purpose-built library dating back to the Thirties was recently renovated at considerable cost and that 70 library posts are under threat; agrees with Alan Gibbons from the Campaign for the Book that this is cost-driven vandalism, with the leader of the Conservative Group on Wirral Borough Council, Jeff Green, that the proposals are disgraceful, and with the readers of Wirral News, 92 per cent. of whom have voted online to say that the Council's actions do not represent their views; and urges Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors to think again about their proposals.