Labour calls for Brighton and Hove’s mobile library to be saved

Labour councillors say that they hope to save Brighton and Hove’s mobile library from the axe in the budget debate on Thursday (23 February).

Funding for the vehicle is due to be cut if the Greens’ budget proposals go through as they stand.

The Labour group said: “Councillors have been bombarded with emails and letters asking for the service to be saved.”

An amendment to the Brighton and Hove City Council budget by Labour would mean that the mobile library vehicle could be replaced.

It suggests using any new vehicle as a mobile advice centre.

Labour said: “This will mean that the voluntary sector will be able to take their advice surgeries out on the road, providing essential support to people across the city.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, the opposition Labour group leader, said: “This new and innovative way of using the mobile library will mean that everyone, from the young to the old, will be able to carry on using a service they love but with the added bonus of having advice on their doorstep.”

Councillor Jeane Lepper, who has been working on the rescue plan, said: “Once again, we have shown that we are the listening party, who are on the side of residents across the city.

“I am delighted that we have found money to be able to help save this vital service and I hope that the Tories and Greens can bring themselves to support it this Thursday.”

The Greens said that the bus was nearing the end of its working life, had become expensive to maintain and would be too costly to replace.

It is to be based in Woodingdean while a new library is built there.