Newham Library Advocates Express Persistent Anxiety Over Proposed Budget Reductions
Library campaigners in the London borough of Newham have voiced continued apprehension regarding proposed budget cuts, despite recent assurances from council leadership that no staffing reductions or library closures will occur. The Save Newham Libraries campaign maintains that "efficiencies means cuts and always has done," highlighting ongoing concerns about the future of library services in the area.
Budget Adjustments and Remaining Savings
Newham Council leaders announced a "partial reversal" of savings earlier this month, eliminating previously planned staffing reductions worth £470,000. However, the council still proposes £175,000 in efficiency savings over two years. This comes after original 2025 budget plans that proposed cutting £1.6 million from library services over three years.
Other property-related savings have been incorporated into a broader review of buildings housing council services. Council representatives have emphasized that these adjustments mean no libraries will close, opening hours will remain unchanged, and no staff will face redundancy.
Council Assurances and Campaigner Skepticism
At a cabinet meeting on February 17th, senior Labour councillor Charlene McLean, the cabinet member responsible for libraries, stated that the remaining savings would not affect service delivery to residents. "There will be no changes in opening hours or staffing as part of the library review," Cllr McLean asserted. "These savings will have no impact on the service as a whole and the way that residents experience it."
Despite these assurances, campaigners remain unconvinced. A member of the Save Newham Libraries campaign explained: "We're looking to understand more about how the service could change but we still have this cuts figure hanging over us." The campaign continues to call for complete reversal of the remaining £175,000 in planned savings.
Comprehensive Service Review Underway
Maria Christofi, the council's senior finance manager, revealed at an overview and scrutiny meeting that an upcoming libraries review will examine all services provided to residents in person. "We will be reviewing all services that are provided in localities face-to-face to residents to understand how they all come together," Christofi stated.
She elaborated on the review's scope: "Are we providing the right services in the right places to meet the needs of residents and communities in different parts of the borough? That is the review that is currently being undertaken." Christofi confirmed that no library buildings would close as a result of this evaluation, which is expected to be presented to council leaders in June, following local elections in May.
Campaign Impact and Continued Advocacy
The Save Newham Libraries campaign has been actively mobilizing community support, having distributed thousands of flyers across the borough and sent hundreds of emails to councillors. Campaigners presented a petition to Cllr McLean ahead of the council's cabinet meeting, demonstrating widespread public concern.
One campaigner acknowledged council responsiveness: "They've been pushed by the campaign and they've been pushed by residents to change plans and that's fantastic – we respect that that decision has been made." The advocate highlighted community dedication: "We've made it clear that libraries are something that residents really care about and are willing to take action to protect."
However, the campaigner reiterated fundamental concerns: "Efficiencies means cuts and always has done. We still go into this review with the same problems." This sentiment underscores the tension between council assurances of service preservation and campaigner fears about the implications of budget reductions.
The situation reflects broader challenges facing local government services amid financial constraints, with Newham's library services becoming a focal point for community engagement and advocacy regarding public resource allocation.
