Culture secretary will not direct local inquiry into library provision in Calderdale

Lucy Frazer, the Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), has decided not to direct a local inquiry into library provision in Calderdale, after saying she was “minded not to” in September. 

In a letter published 21st December Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, the minister for Arts and Heritage, said that no further representations were received in response to the “minded to” letter, so the conclusions detailed in the “minded to” letter remain. 

The decision on library provision in Calderdale followed complaints to the secretary of state about changes to the library service provision agreed at the Calderdale Council cabinet meeting of 9th November 2020. Craig Whittaker MP (Calder Valley), along with the Calderdale Conservative Group and councillor George Robinson, complained that Calderdale Council’s decision to close eight libraries meant it would not be complying with its legal duty to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service under the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964. 

The latest decision letter from Lord Parkinson concluded: “The secretary of state recognises that there are a wide range of approaches open to Calderdale Council in deciding how to meet its statutory duty and that decisions about the local library service should ordinarily be taken by democratically elected local representatives. Calderdale Council has determined that, with the resources available, a comprehensive and efficient service can be delivered from a network of 12 static libraries: one central library—Halifax; six hub libraries; and five community libraries and a home library service. 

“The secretary of state is of the view that Calderdale Council has demonstrated that it sufficiently investigated and considered the needs of the community in reaching its decision about the changes to the library service. 

“The secretary of state’s view is that there is nothing in Calderdale Council’s decision to justify intervention. However, she recognises that both the secretary of state’s superintendence duty under Section One of the act, and the council’s duty under Section Seven to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service, are continuing duties, and she will continue to monitor the council’s compliance with its duty in the same way as with any other library authority.”