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| Brent library closure campaigners lose legal battle | Brent library closure campaigners lose legal battle |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Campaigners have failed in a legal bid to thwart the closure of several libraries in north-west London. | Campaigners have failed in a legal bid to thwart the closure of several libraries in north-west London. |
| Residents and celebrities wanted to prevent Brent Council shutting the six libraries. | Residents and celebrities wanted to prevent Brent Council shutting the six libraries. |
| They hoped the Court of Appeal would overturn the decision of a High Court judge who found the plan lawful. | They hoped the Court of Appeal would overturn the decision of a High Court judge who found the plan lawful. |
| But the Court of Appeal sided with the council, which argued that its decision was "rational" and "made with great care". | But the Court of Appeal sided with the council, which argued that its decision was "rational" and "made with great care". |
| Lord Justice Richards, Lord Justice Pill and Lord Justice Davis ruled that the High Court judge, after a "most careful and thorough review of all the points advanced", had reached the "right conclusions". | |
| Lord Justice Pill explained: "Given the scale of the spending reductions the council was required to make, and the information available following earlier studies, a decision that the library service should bear a share of the reduction was not, in my judgement, unlawful." | |
| 'Full consultation' | |
| He said there was "no doubt" that the council was aware of its statutory duties. | |
| Lord Justice Pill added that a "full consultation was conducted and fully reported to the decision-makers". | |
| Brent Council said the closures would help to fund improvements to its remaining library service and help it save £104m. | |
| Councillor Ann John, leader of Brent Council said: "We are pleased that the Court of Appeal found unanimously in the council's favour, upholding the decision of Mr Justice Ouseley that the council acted lawfully. | |
| "We will now be able to begin implementing the improvement plan that will deliver a better library service for the people of Brent." | |
| The campaign was supported by celebrities including authors Philip Pullman and Alan Bennett, along with singer Nick Cave and the bands Depeche Mode, the Pet Shop Boys and Goldfrapp. |