Libraries axe still set to fall: but is there light at the end of the tunnel?

Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have condemned the County's Communities Select Committee for failing to reverse plans to axe all staff from ten of the County's smaller libraries.

Members of the committee voted against the call-in of the decision by Liberal Democrat and Residents councillors, but only on the Chairman's casting vote.

Lib Dem Communities Spokesperson John Orrick said: "If the plans are pushed through by the Conservative administration it will be a disaster for each of the County's smaller libraries, which have a gun to their head to toe the line with this policy. It discriminates against Surrey's smaller towns. Many members of the Committee, from all political groups, shared the concerns raised by Surrey Libraries Action Movement, and by the Liberal Democrat members of the Committee. I still hope that the new Leader of the Council will listen to the concerns and may change the policy in a big announcement later in the year."