Forum Topic

Mobile Library Bus Faces the Axe

The mobile library bus is being considered for the chop. This service is largely used by children and pensioners but it attracts a loyal following from across the borough. It costs the Council £128, 000 per year and is to be discussed by the Conservative Cabinet when it meets on Monday, 19th Feb.Ex-Conservative Councillor Amanda Lloyd Harris and Labour’s Cllr. Reg McLaughlin are working with local residents and leading the fight to save this service.The Council are consulting on the closure at six public meetings. People attending will also be able to give their views on the future of all the library services in our borough.The public meetings take place on the following dates:6th March at 4.00pm at Sands End Library, Fulham8th March at 6.30pm Askew Library12th March at 6.30pm Barons Court Library17th March at 2.30pm at Fulham Library18th March at 2.30pm at Hammersmith LibraryThose wanting to comment but not able to attend the above meetings should email Councillor Antony Lillis via the borough’s website. You can also write to him at Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London, W6 9JU.The Conservative Council are hoping to cut £320, 000 from the library budget. The Cabinet will again review library services following the consultation when the Cabinet meets in April.Hope this is useful.BestCllr. Stephen CowanLeader of the Labour Group of CouncillorsLondon Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Stephen Cowan ● 6705d6 Comments

I agree that not increasing the tax is helpful.  But low-income people are facing higher bills and lower wages (where they are still earning) down as a result of what the council is doing, so a tiny council tax cut will make no difference.  Please don't take this the wrong way but when you say "it always seems to be" the worst off who get it, I don't see that that happens by chance.  I think it is because they have less of a voice and are an easy target.  It is up to those of us who know how to be a bit more vocal (as through this forum) to say it is just plain wrong.  I really don't believe that the council tax will make a blind bit of difference to 99.9% of people but I do believe that it will be directly paid for on the back of other people's suffering.  We should help people, not kick them when they are down.

Ben Coleman ● 6702d

I'd like to respond with "well, that's what happens when you vote Conservative", but it happens when you vote New Labour too.No wonder people are disillusioned with politics, as the rich continue to get richer at the expense of the poorest.

Andrew Broadbent ● 6702d

I see your point, Ben.  Unfortunately it always seems to be the ones who are worst off (the elderly on a pension, those who are sick, struggling to bring up children, etc) who are the hardest hit.  And with huge increases in gas, electricity and other essential bills, they find it more and more difficult to make ends meet.  And yes, the small cut in the council tax does not come to much.  BUT it is better than an increase.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6702d

I am not one of the world's greatest fans of this much-vaunted council tax cut cut.  As it is spread across so many people, it is inevitably so small as to make little practical difference to anyone.  From the outside, it looks like a bit of macho posturing ("my council tax cut is bigger than yours").  Meanwhile, the cuts to services make a very real and painful difference to a small group of our poorer fellow citizens - pensioners, mobile library users, home helps and so on.  I'm really sorry to sound like a cracked record, but I just think it indecent that the poorest should suffer so that everyone can get a tiny council tax cut.

Ben Coleman ● 6702d

But the cuts have to be weighed against the positive factors ... more police on the streets .... council tax .....

Caroline MacMillan ● 6702d

Yet another cut... I just don't get it.  Is this what people really voted for?

Ben Coleman ● 6705d