SNP question legality of library decision

THE opposition SNP group on Moray Council has lodged complaints over the authority’s decision to close seven libraries.

It has written to the Scotland Commissioner, Kaliani Lyle, of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission and to Scottish Government Minister for Culture, Fiona Hyslop MSP.

The council voted 13-10 in favour of shutting seven of its 15 libraries, despite an Equalities Impact Assessment recommending a network of 11 libraries.

SNP Councillors had proposed that there should be no library closures but that was defeated.

Moray SNP education spokesman Mike Shand has asked whether the decision by the Conservative-Independent administration is legal under the Equality Act 2010 and whether they are in breach of their statutory duty to provide an adequate libraries service.

He believes it could leave the council open to a legal challenge.

Added Councillor Shand: "This would have a significant cost implication for the Council, negating any of the savings they hope to achieve, never mind the hugely detrimental impact on our local communities in Moray.

"The idea of closing seven libraries out of fifteen and leaving an adequate service is frankly ludicrous.

At Tuesday’s special meeting of Moray Council, leader Allan Wright said he believed that eight libraries represented an adequate service to meet the needs of the people of Moray.