A CONCERNED councillor has said the consequences of reducing services for Harwich Library are not being fully considered.

Garry Calver, Harwich Town councillor, has slammed Essex County Council about its public consultation on 25 libraries earmarked for closure in the county.

Mr Calver said, At Harwich Town Council’s meeting on Tuesday, he does not believe the consultation covers all the issues the council wants to bring to the county council’s attention.

He said one of the issues is Essex County Council’s proposal to reduce services at Harwich Library - which was announced in November 2018.

Mr Calver said: “I don’t think trained librarians can be replaced by volunteers and this should be brought to Essex County Council’s attention as it is not going to be part of the consultation.”

He said cutting the availability of the library, in Upper Kingsway, where there are high levels of social deprivation, low car usage and bad public transport would be unacceptable.

“There are many disadvantaged people in our town who can use the library to apply for jobs, use the internet and read,” Mr Calver added.

Mr Calver said Harwich Library has a significant footfall and lots of people in the town cannot afford to buy books.

He said: “Many people use the library and there is no greater pleasure than when a child goes into a library to read a new book.

“Essex County Council is stating it does not know the footfall of the library at this stage but it is already doing a public consultation.

“It’s nonsense and I think we should do everything we can to make Essex County Council aware that any reduction in services is inappropriate.

“I propose we write to the council as to the reasons why a reduction in services is unacceptable.”

The public consultation on the future of Essex libraries under threat of closure runs until February 20.

Jo Henderson, Harwich Town councillor, added: “It’s just robbing children from families who cannot afford to buy books.

“A lot of children need to go to the library for their school books.

“I have got older children who go to the library all the time and it’s for their social life too.

“Reducing services will make people isolate themselves behind closed doors.”

All councillors were in favour of writing to Essex County Council.