Court grants interim injunction preventing Welsh council from going ahead with library closures

The local authority had said in August it would pause implementation of its new Library Service strategy, which involves replacing the ten sites with seven “enhanced” community hubs in strategic town centre locations, ahead of the legal challenge.

However, on 2 September Caerphilly confirmed that “following legal advice” and the High Court’s initial refusal of an interim injunction, it would go ahead.

Cllr Sean Morgan, Leader of the council, said at the time he was “pleased to be able to press ahead with the plans to develop our community hubs and at the same time we will robustly defend the judicial review challenge ahead.”

The claimants then applied to set aside the dismissal of their application for an interim injunction.

An emergency hearing held on Friday (4 September) was adjourned for a decision on the papers, the claimants’ legal team at Harding Evans Solicitors said.

Interim relief was then granted yesterday (8 September). The order confirms that Caerphilly shall not close the ten libraries identified until final resolution of the claim, or further order of the court.

Craig Court, Head of Public Law at Harding Evans, who is handling the case, said:  “We are delighted with the outcome of this application for our client and the libraries’ users and that there is a reprieve for the libraries, until the conclusion of the judicial review process.

“We found it extremely disappointing that the local authority sought to press ahead with the closure of these valuable community assets, whilst the lawfulness of their decision to close them is subject to judicial scrutiny.”

The council has now promised that the library sites will now reopen to the public as quickly as possible, subject to staffing availability and other operational requirements.

Cllr Carol Andrews, Caerphilly’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “It’s disappointing that the original decision has been overturned but we must respect the legal process.

“We are still committed to progressing our ambitious libraries strategy, which will help deliver a resilient and sustainable Library Service for the future.”

Harry Rodd