Last week, the HRA-Labour administration announced that they are intending on closing the Gidea Park and Collier Row Libraries. This is an action which was opposed by Andrew back in 2000 when the Labour administration sought to do the very same thing.
23 years ago, I led the successful campaign to ‘Save Gidea Park Library’ which the then Labour administration in Havering Town Hall wanted to shut down. Today, Labour are back in the administration, so once again, Gidea Park and also Collier Libraries are under threat of closure! Gidea Park and Collier Row are major communities within Havering and local people deserve to retain their local libraries. Havering Council must re-think their plans and look at inovative ideas to keep our vital Library services open! If you want to join the campaign to Save Gidea Park and Collier Row Libraries, please e-mail me to [email protected] and tell Havering Council what you think, by taking part in the consultation now taking place. Here is the link: https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/libraries/havering-council-libraries-consultation/
Yesterday, Andrew wrote to Cllr. Paul Middleton, Cabinet Member for libraries in Havering, emphasising his objections to these plans which he believes show a lack of foresight for what could be superb community hubs for a range of local organisations. You can read Andrew's letter in full in the attached file below.
Today I have formally objected to Havering Council’s proposals to close Gidea Park and Collier Row Libraries. As Romford’s MP, I will fight to save our local libraries, just as I did when Labour were last running our Town Hall and tried to shut them down before! Here in my letter to Cllr. Paul Middleton, HRA Cabinet Member responsible for libraries in Havering. The council need to re-think this short sighted policy and come up with a better plan that keeps local services open to continue serving our local communities in Romford!
