At tomorrow’s Full Council meeting Liberal Democrat Councillors will push Labour for answers over their plans for the library service in York.

Last month the Lib Dems revealed that Labour was drawing up proposals to take libraries out of council control and ownership. The plans have seen a City of York Council ‘project board’ set-up which is working on how assets could be transferred and how alternative ownership models could work.

Despite promising a “full and frank” discussion, the six-week public consultation Labour launched last week on the city’s library service, does not include any questions on future ownership or management changes. Liberal Democrats are asking Labour to withdraw the consultation and start a “proper debate”. They are also seeking guarantees that any move away from council control would not see a reduction in staff or services.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Cultural Services, commented:

“It is typical of this Labour administration that they draw-up plans in secret to sell-off libraries, but then don’t ask residents for their views on it in their public consultation. We need a proper debate about who the public wants to run the city’s library service and if they want libraries kept in council ownership. Labour should be honest about their plans and actually start asking and listening to residents.

“Given the importance of libraries, I would be extremely anxious about any move away from public ownership, but we need to see what Labour are proposing. I will be asking for guarantees that if they push-on with their ideas then staff and service levels will be maintained. We need to see all the details of the alternative vision for libraries that we know Labour are working on.”

Councillor Ayre will ask Labour Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture, Councillor Sonja Crisp, at Thursday’s Full Council meeting:

• Does the Cabinet Member believe that the ‘social enterprise’ model is the only way to deliver future library services?

• Can the Cabinet Member guarantee that whatever the future ownership model of libraries, current staffing levels will be maintained?