Britton: Bullock must deny library rumours now - 22/10/10

Cllr. David Britton, Leader of the Conservative group on Lewisham Council has called on the Labour Mayor, Sir Steve Bullock, to deny leaked claims that he has already decided to close Blackheath and Grove Park libraries prior to the public consultation.

Cllr. Britton said:
“I have been deeply disturbed by claims that the Mayor has already decided that he will close Blackheath and Grove Park libraries and that he never had any intention of closing Crofton Park and New Cross libraries.  If true, this it makes a mockery of the public consultation process.

“This development comes after a serious debate in full Council where councillors of all parties expressed their deep unhappiness at the Mayor’s library closure proposals.  Already the public have shown their opposition to his plans through petitions and demonstrations.

“The Mayor should not imagine that he can either run the consultation process as a charade to protect the image of his party or that he can blame the Government for cuts that are of his own making.  Sir Steve Bullock must take responsibility for his financial management of the Council since he became Mayor in 2002”.