The Save Our Library campaign has emerged organically in response to the decision by Kent County Council to close Grace Hill Library – last December.
This page is intended to provide useful information for anyone supporting the Save Our Library campaign – fighting Kent County Council’s decision to close Grace Hill Library.
The campaign supporters group involves a wide range of local activists as well as people who have rarely if ever joined a protest. This issue has really struck a chord – with local historians, families, children, those in search of a peaceful warm space to read, browse and enjoy.
We all hope this page will encourage others to join the campaign and do what you can to save a cherished community asset.
The campaign demands are simply:
Retain, Restore, Re-open
CAMPAIGN LATEST!
Latest information for the campaign can be found on the SOL Facebook page:
click here to view
The FPP twitter stream also provides regular updates and comment: simply click here and follow!
You can contact the campaign team via our email address: just click on the link….
The team have been producing regular newsletters – email if you would like to be added to the circulation listing.
An update on campaign progress has been produced – showing what has been achieved together as at 15th June:
Please click here to view the PDF version
Please click here to view the Powerpoint version
A very readable history of the Grace Hill Library by Professor Carolyn Oulton can be found by clicking here.
This graphic illustrates the three main strands of the campaign:
- Campaign team
- Community network
- Research & Coordination group
Useful links: info and background
- Grace Hill Library building information….
- Building issues were shown in an approved planning application for works submitted in September 2021
- Amey produced a historic buildings statement and assessment of work required – it showed the solutions.
- A schedule of works was included in the application, showing preparation for tendering
- Kent County Council position
- The Council published an initial statement on 27th March and further updates on their webiste, which you can se here
- Alternative interim library services are listed here
- Snippets: History of the Library (researched by Professor Carolyn Oulton)
- Community reaction
- www.afra.network is a local residents’ group platform – together with New Folkestone Society they have brought together over 30 local community and civic voice groups with a common love of heritage, history, research and culture.
- A group meeting was held on March 28th: the meeting notes are available here
- The community group statement and letter can be read here – we will publish a reply when we get one!
- Political position
- Damian Collins MP has published a personal statement on the future of the Library which you can read here
- General background on Library provision at threat
- An overview of Library cuts in the last decade was published in The Tribune in January 2021 – link here
- The Librarianship Studies group have voiced concerns at loss of Libraries and collated some great quotes
What can I do about it? Join the campaign and help us win!
Sign the e-petition asking KCC to think again – by clicking here – this is important: closing date 26th June!
Help collect signatures face to face: use this form please and return filled sheets to
The Woodshed Folkestone CT20 1AS (near the Guildhall Public House in The Bayle)
Main arguments to share in discussion
This campaign has merit.
There are many options which have been aired already – additional funding options, relocation, reconfiguration of services – and so on.
Our stance is simple: to explore any of these is premature.
The local authority must first discharge its responsibility.
Not until the rationale for the current closure has been fully explained, along with full disclosure of the decision making process, should there be any discussion of alternatives, such as relocation.
The stated rationale for closure is a bill for repairs, which the County Council claim amounts to £1.8million.
As yet, they have not provided evidence of this, such as
- a condition survey
- a detailed costing for repairs
- a building department report
- a Library service options appraisal
- a report to full Council or to Cabinet
- a public consultation
Until they do so and agree to a public meeting, we believe they are in default of their statutory duty to consult.
Guidance on the test of consultation is provided by the Local Government Association here and clearly refers to the possibility of a judicial review where this has not taken place:
Local Government Association: test on consultation
Essentially, where people have come to legitimately expect a process of consultation, for example, with local authority budget cuts or healthcare changes, there are grounds for a judicial review should a public consultation not take place. Similarly, a consultation must be conducted properly should the choice be taken to embark on one (whether a legal requirement exists for it or not). This is part of ensuring that the consultation process remains a fair one.
Further evidence that the County Council has failed in its basic responsibility of accountability to the public from which its funding is ultimately derived can be found in the
Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999
Section 3 LGA 1999 requires an authority “to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness” (“the best value duty”). It also obliges the authority to consult certain groups of persons “for the purpose of deciding how to fulfil the duty” (s.3(2)).
Section 22 of the Local Government Act 2000
This sets out – essentially – the requirement that all decision-making meetings should be clearly recorded and set out the basis for decision making.
It has not yet been possible to identify the meeting at which decision was taken to close Grace Hill Library – see above.
