The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A legal fund set up by the Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign group has received a donation of £1,000 from The Library Campaign, the national charity dedicated to supporting public funded libraries.
The fund has been set up by campaigners to help Simon Draper in his challenge of Lincolnshire County Council’s proposals to cut the library service by £2million.
The challenge will take place with a judicial review in the High Court in London on July 8 and 9.
A fund has been established to meet the potential contribution of upwards of £7,500 to a legal aid application.
Mr Draper, a Lincoln resident, said: “To be given such a large sum by this highly respected national charity is just brilliant, a real boost for us and all 23,000 Lincolnshire people who signed petitions against the council’s plan, which was – don’t forget – the only way to say no to the proposals as the official consultation did not allow for a ‘no change’ response.
“When the Judicial Review goes ahead in July the Save Lincolnshire Libraries will have been campaigning for over a year, and they are all volunteers battling a fully funded council.”
The Library Campaign chairman Laura Swaffield said: “We’re happy to help Save Lincolnshire Libraries because their campaign benefits all of us. Our experience indicates that Lincolnshire County Council’s planned cuts are unworkable and unnecessary.”
Julie Harrison, of Save Lincolnshire Libraries, said: “This amount of support from a national institution indicates the crucial nature of our campaign.
“Now it is time for the people of Lincolnshire to stand up for their rights and tell the county council to stop right now, as changes they insist on implementing – despite this imminent legal challenge on all counts – are causing irreversible damage to the service.”
People wanting to donate to the legal fund can send cheques made payable to Save Lincolnshire Libraries to: The Farmhouse, East Row, South Somercotes, Louth, LN11 7BN.
Donations can also be made online via the campaign blog at http://savelincslibraries.org.uk/donate/
