Perth and Kinross Council has issued a strong defence of the procedure it followed in the controversial closure of a library.
Despite a concerted campaign by Friends of West Mill Street Library, the council’s lifelong learning committee agreed to close the Perth facility on April 4, sparking fury among some of its users.
They said that the loss of the library would hit disabled, infirm and partially-sighted people.
The Friends then wrote to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission Scotland (EHRCS) and to Mike Penning, Minister of State for Disabled People, accusing the local authority of discrimination and of ignoring its statutory duties.
The Courier understands that a decision on their complaint is imminent.
The Friends have complained that a council officer who carried out a review of the decision to shut the library was the same person who advocated its closure in the first place.
However, the council has given a robust defence of its actions.
Fiona Robertson, head of culture and community services for the council’s education and children’s services, said: “The council would like to make it clear that all decisions made as a result of recommendations set out in the recent review of library services in Perth and Kinross were decisions made by the council’s lifelong learning committee.
“Further, the council would like to make it clear that the officer referred to has acted in complete accordance with the code of conduct for council employees in fulfilling her duties with respect to the review of library services, which wascarried out in line with budget decisions taken by the council in February 2011.
“This officer’s role, along with that of other officers, has been to give elected members impartial advice on options and recommendations to achieve improvements and required savings for the service.
“The council’s complaints procedure was followed correctly resolution was sought as close to the point of contact as possible. When that did not meet the satisfaction of the complainer, it proceeded to the independent investigation stage.”
A council spokesperson added: “The council’s review of the library service was based on a thorough review of evidence and data about how, where and when customers use services.
“Our response to this formal complaint explains this process and also sets out the data and evidence relating to use of West Mill Street, which has declined in recent years.”
She added that the accessible services that were available at West Mill Street were relocated to the AK Bell Library and the North Inch Community Library “where the council can provide a greater range of accessible services and other services”.
She added: “To date, we have received no formal communication from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in relation to this complaint.
“The decision made at the lifelong learning committee at the end of last year was made through the due democratic process taking into account the review of the library service.”