Letter to Editor: Essex libraries – better together
Politics / Sat 29th Nov 2025 at 10:44am
Dear Editor.
AT the beginning of October we wrote to local government leaders across Essex asking for their and their parties’ views on the future of libraries once local government is reorganised. In particular, we wanted to know whether they agree with us that Essex Library Service should be kept as one single service. That Essex Libraries are better together. Legislation already exists that will allow two or more of the new unitaries to establish a joint board to run libraries.
We believe the people of Essex should have the ability to borrow a book from Harlow Library, and then return it to Harwich Library, and that all the benefits of the inter-lending service are retained. Furthermore, one single service can only be beneficial when it comes to economy of scale. We can see nothing whatsoever being gained from the break-up of this much loved public service.
Essex County Council (ECC) Labour group Leader Ivan Henderson told us: “we are in full agreement that Essex Libraries are better together.”
The Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Lib-Dem Stephen Robinson said: “One of the huge strengths is indeed the interlending service. If Lib Dems are in charge of the Mid Essex unitary, we would definitely try to maintain that.”
The Leader of Harlow Council, Conservative Dan Swords, replied: “I am very supportive of the principle of a single library service as you describe”.
The Green Party’s James Abbott pledged to: “ask about the options for the service being managed as a whole across the county”.
Petrina Lees, of Residents for You, the Leader of Uttlesford District Council, said: “In principle, we here at UDC agree”.
While Chris Pond, the ECC independent group leader, told us: “I tend to agree with you”.
Alas, the only party we are yet to hear from, is Reform (we wrote to their group leader on Tendring Council Jeff Bray, with a copy to their only Essex County Councillor, Jaymey McIvor). This can only lead to questions being asked about Reform’s commitment to libraries.
We are obviously pleased to have such positive responses from across the political spectrum. There might be much disagreement when it comes to local government reorganisation, on whether we end up with three, four, or five unitaries. But we hope that this consensus will be built. Essex Libraries are better together
Andy Abbott,
Save Our Libraries Essex – SOLE,
77 School Lane,
Broomfield. CM1 7DS.
David Forman
2025-11-29 15:05:12
Dear Andy Abbott, I expect when in government Reform might consider turning some books into fuel.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-11-30 11:43:06
Well if that is what they all agree on, why is this not the case for all the other services across the county which are set to be split across a number of new Unitary Authorities? Back in the day when Local Government was last reorganised some services such as Highways and Education were kept centralised for very good reason and nothing has changed since then. The ECC Labour Group Leader really needs a reality check, it is his Party which wants to see the Counties services split up and yet this falls at the first hurdle. To be clear, the Harlow Residents Alliance objects to all of the options for change to the way Local Government is run in Essex. Nicholas Taylor, Leader of Harlow Residents Alliance
Andy Abbott
2025-11-30 12:05:23
Dear David Foreham. I am slightly surprised you fail to appreciate I have my own personal views on Reform, but that in writing this letter, I was obliged to follow democratic processes, and express an opinion that reflected the consensus within the campaign. I suspect at a time when other parties are also a threat to rights and freedoms, and all too willing to allow Reform to set the political agenda, Reform's faiilure to even respond speaks volumes. Kind regards, Andy.
David Forman
2025-11-30 13:31:08
Dear Andy Abbott, thanks for your reply and your confirmation that the Reform Party are a threat to our rights and freedoms.
Seamus
2025-12-13 19:16:20
Personally I've always found Libraries a great resource but like letters being replaced by texts, whatsapp, emails etc, their role has been rather diminished by our own insistance of using the internet. If libraries are done away with it will be our own undoing. Andy "Reform's faiilure to even respond speaks volumes" So because they didn't respond to YOU, " It speaks volumes?" "This can only lead to questions being asked about Reform’s commitment to libraries." or in the scheme of things, replying to you wasn't high on their need to do list, so you feeling upset at no reply, try to infer things. David david david, Have reform said they wish to force i.d, cards on the entire population, place i.d. cameras in every town and city, do away with cash, refuse to accept a national vote by trying to undo it under the table, do away with jury trials? There is only one party that are a threat to our rights and freedoms and that is the party in government, the labour party.
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