Legal challenge dismissed as council moves ahead with library reorganisation
The Labour‑run Caerphilly County Borough Council has been given the green light to press ahead with a controversial library restructure after a High Court judge found the authority’s decision‑making to be lawful.
Under the council’s adopted strategy, ten smaller libraries across the borough will close, while a further seven branches are proposed to continue as hub sites offering book‑borrowing alongside other public services. The move is presented by the council as a way to deliver a more “comprehensive and efficient” service and to make savings, but campaigners have warned the losses of local assets will be keenly felt in affected communities.
"Overall, the strategy would provide a comprehensive and efficient library service, though there would be an undeniable effect on active users of the ten libraries which were recommended for closure,"
Those were the words of Mr Justice Kimblin in dismissing the claim brought by campaigners against the council. The legal challenge, brought by campaigner Susanne Girdler on behalf of local groups, sought to prevent the implementation of the library strategy. The hearing in Cardiff examined whether the council’s process and decision‑making were lawful, rather than the merits of how many libraries should be provided.
Which libraries will close?
The ten branches named for closure are:
- Aberbargoed
- Abercarn
- Abertridwr
- Bedwas
- Deri
- Llanbradach
- Machen
- Nelson
- Oakdale
- Pengam
Seven remaining branches would operate as hubs where book lending is retained alongside other council or community services. The council says this hub model will allow it to focus resources and improve overall provision across the borough.
| Proposal | Number of branches |
|---|---|
| Shut | 10 |
| Convert to hubs | 7 |
Campaigners and communities respond
Local campaign groups had argued the closures would remove valuable community assets, particularly in smaller towns and villages where libraries act as hubs for people of all ages. In June, a group associated with Save Abertridwr Library took the matter to court, saying the council’s process had not properly accounted for the impact on users.
But in his judgment Mr Justice Kimblin found the council had carried out two rounds of public consultation and possessed "detailed and precise" information on the effects of the policy, including travel distances and times for residents. He concluded the authority had given “rigorous attention to the effects” of the proposed changes.
The judge’s ruling does not necessarily mark the end of the matter. Campaigners may still lodge an appeal against the decision, and community groups have signalled they will consider their next steps. For many residents, however, the ruling clears the path for the council to put its library strategy into effect.
What this means for Caerphilly
For families, older people and those who rely on council‑run services, the shock of losing a local library is about more than books. Branches often host baby groups, reading sessions, digital access points and community meetings. The council argues that by centralising some services into hubs it can offer a more resilient service across the borough, but opponents say centralisation risks leaving the most vulnerable with fewer accessible options.
As the borough prepares for changes, communities named in the judgment will be watching closely. The next moves — whether an appeal is lodged or whether the council alters its implementation plans in response to local concern — will shape how Caerphilly’s public library network looks for years to come.
Residents seeking information on the timetable for closures or the services to be offered at future hubs should contact Caerphilly County Borough Council for official guidance.
