Campaigners call for public inquiry into library closures after court defeat

Mark Mansfield

Campaigners fighting the closure of 10 libraries have called on the Welsh Government to intervene and hold a public inquiry into the plans.

Lawyers acting for a member of the Save Abertridwr Library Group have written to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth asking ministers to investigate Caerphilly County Borough Council’s library strategy.

The move comes after a High Court judge last month dismissed a legal challenge against the Labour-run council’s plans to close 10 smaller libraries and concentrate services in larger town-centre hubs.

Susanne Girdler, a member of the Save Abertridwr Library Group, intends to seek permission to appeal against the judgment, according to the letter from solicitors Harding Evans.

The libraries earmarked for closure are in Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Deri, Llanbradach, Machen, Nelson, Oakdale and Pengam.

Seven remaining branches would become larger community hubs offering library services alongside other council services.

The council has argued that concentrating its resources at fewer sites will allow it to provide a wider range of services.

But campaigners say people living in smaller and rural communities will face significant difficulties reaching the remaining libraries.

Their solicitors say evidence presented during consultation showed 67% of respondents identified barriers to accessing town-centre hubs, including transport, parking and travel costs.

They also say 70% of younger respondents and 58% of adults had previously walked to their local library, while 15% reported having no affordable internet access.

The letter argues the closures could particularly affect children, older and disabled people, Welsh speakers and people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, local authorities have a duty to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service.

The legislation also gives Welsh ministers powers to investigate whether an authority is meeting its obligations and, in some circumstances, direct it to take action.

Harding Evans has asked the Welsh Government whether it has formally assessed Caerphilly’s strategy and whether ministers believe it meets the requirements of the 1964 Act.

The solicitors have also asked what monitoring will take place if the closures proceed and whether ministers will consider measures including rural service points, mobile libraries and enhanced transport concessions.

The letter states: “Further, we ask that you exercise your powers to hold a statutory inquiry into Caerphilly’s library strategy and its implementation, focused on whether a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service within s.7 is being and will be provided for all persons desiring to use it.”

It says an inquiry should examine rural access, transport costs, digital exclusion and the impact on children, older and disabled people, Welsh speakers and disadvantaged communities.

The solicitors argue an inquiry could consider whether standards which may be met “on paper” adequately reflect the practical accessibility of library services.

They have also requested a meeting with ministers to discuss concerns about what they describe as the continuing depletion of public services in rural communities.

Legal challenge

The legal challenge followed Caerphilly councillors’ decision in May 2025 to adopt the new library strategy.

Interim relief preventing the closures was granted in September 2025, but the Administrative Court dismissed the claim on August 21 this year.

Following the ruling, the council said it had “successfully defended a judicial review into its new library service strategy”.

It said the claimant had a period in which to appeal and that it would await the outcome before considering its next steps.

Plaid Cymru MS Lindsay Whittle, who represents Caerphilly, previously urged the council to reconsider the closures following the court ruling.

The letter to the First Minister has also been copied to Mr Whittle and four Welsh Government ministers.

The Welsh Government said: “We are aware of the recent judgment in the judicial review brought against Caerphilly Council in relation to library closures. We are considering the judgment and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this point.”

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