Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Lewisham March for Libraries 21st May
Lobby the Mayor 13th July and help save Lewisham Library services.
Posted by Save Lewisham Libraries on Tuesday, 21 June 2016
AND under the black cat in Catford.
We will be leafleting to publicise the Lobby of the Mayor & Cabinet on 13th July 2016 and full Council meeting on 20th July 2016.
Please join us if you can and help save our Library Services.
Thursday, 23 June 2016
COUNCIL PUSH ON AS PROCESS FALTERS
Lewisham Council's 4th June community showcase event - a chance to meet bidders for the planned 'community' libraries - was cancelled, leading to suspicions that maybe there were no bidders. Or not enough to go round at any rate. Was the Council's schedule slipping, or even falling apart?
In fact, a local Forest Hill community bid has gone in for Forest Hill Library, but what about the other two? We've now learnt that there is no bidder left in the running for Manor House Library, so the whole tender process is to be re-run. Furthermore, there is no formal or completed bid in for Torridon Road Library either, just a letter of intent from local community groups. Apparently, the Council wants to go ahead in September with changing how Torridon Road is run, even without the kinds of information and guarantees that you would expect from such a momentous move. How would it be staffed? Will it be a proper library? What level of long term financial security can be projected if the idea isn't fully worked through yet? Is there even a costed business plan? The process has clearly not gone as planned, and we are left with more questions than ever. Watch this space.
We need to make sure our Council is held to account when public money and public services are at stake. On the 4th July the Stronger Safer Communities Select Committee meets to agree on what's suggested for these libraries. It's open to the public and so there's a chance to put your views. Questions can also be put in advance to the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on the 13th.
In fact, a local Forest Hill community bid has gone in for Forest Hill Library, but what about the other two? We've now learnt that there is no bidder left in the running for Manor House Library, so the whole tender process is to be re-run. Furthermore, there is no formal or completed bid in for Torridon Road Library either, just a letter of intent from local community groups. Apparently, the Council wants to go ahead in September with changing how Torridon Road is run, even without the kinds of information and guarantees that you would expect from such a momentous move. How would it be staffed? Will it be a proper library? What level of long term financial security can be projected if the idea isn't fully worked through yet? Is there even a costed business plan? The process has clearly not gone as planned, and we are left with more questions than ever. Watch this space.
We need to make sure our Council is held to account when public money and public services are at stake. On the 4th July the Stronger Safer Communities Select Committee meets to agree on what's suggested for these libraries. It's open to the public and so there's a chance to put your views. Questions can also be put in advance to the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on the 13th.
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Lewisham March for Libraries 21st May
Lobby the Mayor 13th July and help save Lewisham Library services.
Posted by Save Lewisham Libraries on Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Sunday, 19 June 2016
Save Lewisham Libraries Stall - 25 June
12noon-1pm Clocktower, Lewisham
AND under the black cat in Catford.
We will be leafleting to publicise the Lobby of the Mayor & Cabinet on 13th July 2016 and full Council meeting on 20th July 2016.
Please join us if you can and help save our Library Services.
AND under the black cat in Catford.
We will be leafleting to publicise the Lobby of the Mayor & Cabinet on 13th July 2016 and full Council meeting on 20th July 2016.
Please join us if you can and help save our Library Services.
Monday, 13 June 2016
ORGANISING MEETING - THURSDAY 16 JUNE
Our next campaign meeting:
7pm Thursday 16 June 2016
Catford Constitutional Club
Catford Broadway SE6 4SP
All welcome. Come along and get involved!
7pm Thursday 16 June 2016
Catford Constitutional Club
Catford Broadway SE6 4SP
All welcome. Come along and get involved!
Friday, 3 June 2016
4 JUNE 2016 Community Event Postponed by Council
Save Lewisham Libraries campaign was due to lobby the council at an event this Saturday 4 June at the Town Hall. The event was for the public to view the council's plans for four Lewisham libraries - including tenders from interested parties.
The event was postponed at very short notice and it is unclear when we will have the opportunity to scrutinise their plans. The public needs concrete information to know exactly what will happen to its library service, to have confidence in accountability, provision of public services and the outcomes of public spending i.e. our money.
We will keep you posted...
We will keep you posted...
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
This is not a Swan Song!
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Save Lewisham Libraries Benefit Gig on Saturday night at the Old Tiger's Head in Lee.
A great night out!
Special thanks to musicians:
Rubber Johnny
Russell Bailey
Lost Chords
DJ Senor Sinistra
Speaker Jonathan Moore
HUNDREDS MARCH to Save Lewisham Libraries
The march on Saturday 21 May was a great success. Hundreds attended the march and rally at the Town Hall in Catford.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36350323
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, including speakers Chrissie Gittins, Alan Wylie, Tim O'Dell, Carnegie library occupiers, Unison representatives and striking Lewisham library workers. The march was also supported by representatives from Defend the Ten, Lambeth Libraries campaign, Barnet Libraries and The Feminist Library - all under threat.
Lewisham library workers were also out on strike. Members of the public expressed their support for the march and strike with toots of horns, signing our campaign petition and spontaneously marching with us.
