6,000 petition on library closure

Samantha Warrington (left), Peter Goss-Brent Council (centre) and Geraldine Cook (right)

The Save Preston Library Campaign yesterday handed over a combined petition of 6,000 signatories to Brent Council. The campaign was aiming to reach the target of 5,000 signatures by Monday's deadline. This enables the campaign to demand a full council debate before a final decision is made on April 11th.

Samantha Warrington of the Save Preston Library Campaign said:  

This sends a resounding message to Brent councillors that the people of Brent do not want their local libraries to close. Communities that lose libraries will not forget who it was that closed them at the next election.

This is particularly true since Tim Coates, former CEO of Waterstone’s, last week made a public presentation at Kensal Green Library  on how Brent Council can save enough money to retain the six libraries and also improve the service through operational efficiencies.

Cllr Ann John, leader of Brent Council, Cllr James Powney, lead member for libraries and Susan MacKenzie, head of Brent Library Service, were all invited to Tim Coates' talk but none of them attended.