Lewisham Mayor asks community groups to run threatened libraries

At the Mayor & Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 17 February, Steve Bullock took the decision to close five threatened libraries at Sydenham, New Cross, Blackheath, Grove Park and Crofton Park. He instructed officers between now and the 28th May to seek detailed bids from groups wishing to run the affected libraries and report the outcome in due course to Mayor & Cabinet.

The Mayor’s decision needs to be approved by the full council meeting on the 1st March, although this may be regarded as a mere formality given the relative strength of the Labout group at Lewisham.

The four groups who have expressed initial interest in running Sydenham Library are: Exam Success Education Centre Limited; Eco Computer Systems; John Laing Integrated Services Ltd and SociaCapita Solutions.

For more details of the four bidders see http://www.sydenhamsociety.com/2011/02/officers-report-recommends-closure-of-five-lewisham-libraries-four-groups-apply-to-take-over-sydenham-library/

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