Southgate MP raises concerns about planned closure of smaller libraries

Southgate & Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous has written to Enfield Council expressing concerns about the impact of the proposed closure of eight of the borough's smaller libraries.

bambos charalambous mp credit parliament uk Bambos Charalambous MP (credit parliament.uk) At the start of his submission to the ongoing consultation about Enfield Council's draft libraries strategy, Bambos Charalambous acknowledges that the council is "working diligently" to cope with a 42% cut in government funding since 2010 and the rise in the cost of providing temporary accommodation and social care, before setting out concerns about the impact of closing smaller libraries, as proposed in the draft.

The MP focuses on three libraries in his constituency - Bowes Road, Oakwood and Southgate - plus Winchmore Hill, which is now just over the constituency boundary, and John Jackson Library in Bush Hill Park, which plays borough-wide roles as a hub for Age UK Enfield and the home of the Men's Shed project.

Pointing out the importance for vulnerable residents of libraries for social contact, keeping warm and accessing services, he warns that "the wellbeing and achievements of our community must be safeguarded against cuts that cannot be reversed".

With overcrowded homes on the rise, many young people, he writes, use libraries as a "place of quiet study", adding that "children of families struggling with the cost-of-living and housing crisis must not be further isolated". Data suggests, he says, that Bowes Road Library is "essential for young residents' early years development".

At the other end of the age spectrum, Oakwood Library serves an area with a higher than average proportion of residents aged 65 or more.

Summing up, Bambos writes:

"It is concerning that young people will lose a place of study, older people will lose place of community and conversation, and benefit claimants will lose. Whilst Palmers Green library will remain open under the proposals, the use of desk space, computers and rooms for hire will become more competitive."

The Southgate MP's letter follows an intervention last month by Enfield North MP Feryal Clark, whose strongly worded criticism of the draft libraries strategy accuses it of providing "minimal attention to the independent value of libraries, and to outcomes and measures which are associated with library provision to improve digital access and literacy, support cultural and creative enrichment, and increase reading and literacy."

Reporting Feryal Clark's criticism, Enfield Dispatch quotes Chinelo Anyanwu, the cabinet member for environment, culture and public spaces, as saying that the proposals were "informed by analysis on the use of the libraries, the needs of the community in different parts of the borough, the accessibility of [each] library building, feedback from the first phase of engagement from stakeholders, and the operation and maintenance cost of each library building".

The deadline for submitting comments on the draft library strategy is 14th November. Petitions against the closures have been organised by Enfield Over 50s Forum and by the Conservative group on Enfield Council.

Click here to read the full text of the submission

3 October 2024

Dear Enfield Council Officers

Re: Developing a new library strategy for Enfield

I am writing in relation to Enfield Council's First stage consultation, Developing a new library strategy for Enfield. I wish to put forward the following concerns on behalf of constituents of Southgate and Wood Green. I will also reiterate concerns raised in my response to Enfield Council's first stage library consultation in January 2024.

I do not seek to underestimate the dire need for Enfield Council to long term plan against funding pressures. It is reassuring that Enfield Council is working diligently to fulfil their duty to set a balanced budget following a 42% reduction in overall funding since 2010. It is noted the Council continues to see a rise in costs for temporary accommodation and social care stretching an already fragile budget.

In brief, the proposal seeks residents' permission to improve and enhance the library service in hubs in areas of high need in the east of the borough and maintain hubs only in the west of the borough where services are in less demand.

The constituency of Southgate and Wood Green enjoys Bowes Road, Palmers Green, Oakwood and Southgate libraries. Winchmore Hill library is now just outside the constituency boundary. Collectively this offers 215.5 hours of library services, however proposals see a loss of 156.5 hours leaving the area with 60 hours of services each week.

Access to a library close to your address is vital to many of our most vulnerable residents who rely on the libraries for social contact, a place of warmth and links to services such as Enfield Connections and Age UK activities. The wellbeing and achievements of our community must be safeguarded against cuts that cannot be reversed.

With population increases, libraries maintain a place of quiet study as we continue to see a rise in overcrowding in homes and families living in temporary accommodation across the borough. Many of our young people who will be accessing the libraries are seeking a place of quiet study. Palmers Green ward alone has seen a population increase by 8.4% since 2011. Children of families struggling with this cost-of-living and housing crisis must not be further isolated.

Bowes Road Library has a high level of library usage among 0-9 and 10-19-yearolds (18% and 14% respectively), which suggests that the library is essential for young residents early years development.

According to the Local Government Association report 'How council library services can support children and families in the earliest years' (2022) found that libraries are key in getting children ready for formal education, as they provide suitable reading age material, and incentivise children to read through initiatives, such as the Summer Reading Challenge. A child taken to the library monthly from three to five years old is 2.5 months ahead of an equivalent child who did not frequently go to a library.

The proposal has caused concerns across the constituency with residents sharing their personal experience. One resident has allowed me to share their experience of how vital a local community library branch is:

"I am an OAP and not able to get about easily. Luckily, I can still walk up the road to Southgate Library and enjoy the many cultural amenities it provides. Such as an excellent art class. This is what I do not want to lose!"

Statistics from Age UK suggests 1.9 million older people often feel ignored or invisible. Oakwood Library serves the Oakwood and Cockfosters area, according to Enfield Council data has significantly more residents aged 65+ (18%) when compared to the borough population (14%). Age UK research confirms a range of factors cause loneliness including lack of community venues and activities within their ward area.

Closure of libraries will also exacerbate the boroughs loss of community venues. I often receive enquiries through my work from community groups looking for community venues for hire which are lacking in the borough. Community groups could offer long-term bookings for rooms in larger libraries, or use of smaller libraries out of hours.

In addition to loss of library service hours, residents will lose events and clubs, community groups they enjoy and rely on. It is concerning that young people will lose a place of study, older people will lose a place of community and conversation, and benefit claimants will lose. Whilst Palmers Green library will remain open under proposals, the use of desk space, computers and rooms for hire will become more competitive.

Whilst outside the constituency, the closure of John Jackson Library has caused concerns as it a current Age UK hub and home to much needed Men Shed's project that offers a place for men to build skills and friendships.

Yours sincerely

Bambos Charalambous MP