The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A decision will be made next month on whether plans to cut county library services will be subjected to a second judicial review.
A judge will consider an application by campaigners for a judicial review on July 21 and 22.
It will be the second time the plans to close a number of libraries, cut hours at others and hand some over to volunteers will have gone before the courts.
Lincolnshire County Council has put forward the cuts in a bid to save £2million.
Coun Nick Worth, executive member for libraries, said: “We’ve been notified that the decision on whether or not to grant permission for a judicial review will be taken in court at an oral hearing before a judge on 21 and 22 July.
“If permission is not granted, the claim will fail. If permission is granted, the court will proceed immediately at the same hearing to decide whether the challenge has any merit.
“We are now preparing the strongest possible defence.
“Sadly, this will mean further – and, in our opinion, unnecessary – expense for taxpayers.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to implement our plans to create a new-look library service, including working with local groups to develop the network of community hubs.
“We’ll do so in the firm belief that our plans are good for taxpayers, good for library users and good for local communities.”
