High Court issues injunction against county council in library cuts dispute

A High Court judge has issued an injunction against Surrey County Council in judicial review proceedings over the local authority’s plans to revamp its provision of library services.

Surrey unveiled proposals in September 2011 for 10 of its 52 libraries to become ‘Community Partnered Libraries’ (CPLs) run by volunteers. The move is being challenged by Surrey Libraries Action Movement.

On Friday Mr Justice Wyn Williams said the county council should “take no irrevocable steps towards implementing the Community Partnered Libraries decision impugned in these proceedings until further order of this court”.

According to SLAM, the injunction was issued to stop CPLs being completely set up before the campaign group could seek permission for a judicial review.

In a statement on its website, SLAM said: “We were surprised that the injunction was issued so soon  – we were expecting this stage to last about three weeks – but see this as an endorsement of the strength of our case.

“We are, nonetheless, very happy that this decision was reached and can begin to prepare the full case without worrying about SCC going too far with their plans.”

SLAM is being represented by high-profile law firm Public Interest Lawyers, which successfully advised campaigners fighting cuts to library services in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Surrey CC has previously argued that SLAM’s proceedings were brought out of time. It justified the introduction of CLPs as necessary against a backdrop where it must find £200m in savings over four years.

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