Lambeth Council Leader Refutes Hiding Library Cuts in Spreadsheet

The Lambeth Council leader denies hiding library cuts. An activist said a £1 million cut was hidden, claiming it was in a ten-page spreadsheet. Claire Holland leads Lambeth Council and says they are transparent about cuts.

The proposed library budget is £4.6 million. A cabinet meeting happened on February 24th. Laura Swaffield, a library cut campaigner, stated the cuts were buried in papers and added that people are angry.

Holland responded to the “buried” claim, confirming the cut data is printed. Over 400 pages of finance data exist, she added, insisting that the council is being open and that she’s proud of their transparency.

The council confirmed some facts about the budget: They won’t close libraries, nor will they reduce hours. The cuts are part of £46.3 million in total savings needed for 2025/26.

The Green Party wants libraries protected and suggest using unspent developer money. Nicole Griffiths says £43 million sits unused and hasn’t been fully allocated, sitting for years.

The Liberal Democrats are also concerned, pointing out the cuts weren’t listed before. Councillor Matthew Bryant commented on the library service, saying that cutting it now is a bad move and a step backward.

Holland says the council faces a funding crisis, the worst they’ve ever seen. She stated that cuts will impact services, affecting what people rely on, and that honesty with residents is important.

The council focuses on efficient savings and propose income generation ideas. They will increase some fees and charges, remarking that these changes should be fair, given the challenging financial situation.

Councillors will vote on the 2025/26 budget. This vote will happen in March at a special meeting.