High Court to hear judicial review challenge next week over library closure plans

The High Court will next week (4 June) hear a judicial review challenge over Caerphilly County Borough Council’s plan to close ten libraries in the area.

Caerphilly paused implementation of the plans after campaigners launched a legal challenge and an interim injunction was granted.

The council said its Library Service strategy would have seen the ten sites replaced by seven enhanced community hubs in strategic town centre locations, as well as Community Outreach services within the affected communities.

Craig Court of Harding Evans Solicitors in Newport, who is acting for the claimant, also said at the time: “I have been impressed with the dogged determination shown by the campaign to date, fighting to save such important community assets.”

Cllr Sean Morgan, who was leader of Caerphilly Council at the time, said: “It is disappointing, but not surprising that we have received this challenge. We will obviously robustly defend the judicial review and we are now seeking clarity from the courts about the next steps.

“The real shame here is that the council has been in discussion with a number of community groups, who had come forward to take ownership of the library sites that were due to close – and their plans looked really exciting.”

Cllr Sean Morgan stepped down as leader less than a month later, citing fundamental disagreements with the Labour Party, which he could “no longer be a supporter of”.

The judicial review has been listed for a hearing next Thursday at the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre.

Harry Rodd

https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/news/news-bulletin/may-2025/%E2%80%8Bnew-vision-for-library-service-to-be-considered

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