Claimant in challenge over alleged failure by DCMS to investigate library cuts
A claimant has applied for permission to bring a judicial review challenge against the Department for Culture, Media & Sport over its alleged failure to conduct an inquiry into changes to library services in Sheffield.
Law firm Public Interest Lawyers is advising on the judicial review challenge, which is also backed by the Broomhill Library Action Group.
PIL claimed to be aware of at least seven library campaigns which had asked the Department to hold an inquiry into the changes, but on each occasion this had been refused.
The law firm said: “At this stage it would appear that the DCMS is either:
- Not considering requests for inquiries properly or at all, or
- Has a ’blanket policy’ which has lead it to refusing to conduct inquiries, or
- It is not fulfilling the duty to superintend library provision.”
PIL has called for information from individuals or campaign groups who have contacted the DCMS, asking for it to consider an inquiry into local library services.
The law firm has previously been involved in a number of legal challenges to library service changes.
In July 2014 a High Court judge quashed Lincolnshire County Council’s planned changes, which would have seen 30 existing libraries handed over to community groups.
A second judicial review challenge to the county’s retaken decision will be heard by the High Court on 21 July.
PIL also advised on legal actions over changes proposed by Surrey County Council, Somerset County Council and Gloucestershire County Council.