Steve Reed calls on Council to work with residents to save South Norwood Library
Steve Reed has asked Croydon Council to listen to local people over the future of South Norwood Library. The library’s future is uncertain because the Conservative Government has cut funding to Croydon by 70% and pushed it into a financial crisis.
Local MP Steve Reed has spoken to residents and campaign groups who are fighting to save the library. He’s now written to the Council asking them to consider how closing the library will affect the areas poorest residents who may not have access to WiFi or quiet spaces for learning or reading at home. He’s also asked the Council to fully involve the local community before taking any decisions.
Steve Reed said: “Croydon Council is faced with some really difficult decisions after ten years of Conservative funding cuts. But they do not have to go it alone. Now more than ever people want a say over what happens in their area. The Council should harness this enthusiasm and work with residents to come up with plan that could protect library services for South Norwood.”
You can see the full letter here.
If you would like to get involved in the campaign to save South Norwood library, email Steve at [email protected]
Steven Reed is Labour MP for Croydon North and Shadow Minister for Children and Families. In 2018 his private member’s bill on reducing violent mental health restraint became law. In June 2019 he launched Labour’s civil society strategy outlining radical plans to empower citizens and communities.
Steve chairs the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network, co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, was Leader of Lambeth Council 2006-12 where he led the council’s children’s services to become best-rated in the country and pioneered the public-health approach to tackling violent youth crime. He worked in publishing for 16 years and was an elected trade union branch secretary.