Scottish Conservatives Apologise for Library Closure Uncertainty

The Scottish Conservatives have issued an apology for generating confusion regarding the withdrawal of proposals to shut down seven libraries in Moray. The Conservative party, which leads the council but lacks a majority, announced on Monday that the plans “won’t be taken forward” and the facilities “have been saved”. However, an updated statement was dispatched three hours later, clarifying that the closure proposals remained under consideration, but Conservative councillors would not endorse them. The Scottish National Party characterized these recent developments as “incredibly chaotic and deeply embarrassing”. A Moray Council spokesperson confirmed that the council as a whole had not reached any formal decisions concerning the closures at this time. Councillors are scheduled to make the final decision early next year, following their review of the findings from a recently concluded public consultation. Moray is one of several councils, alongside Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross, proposing reductions to library services. To achieve savings of £275,000, seven of Moray’s eleven libraries—specifically Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Keith, Lossiemouth, Fochabers, and Tomintoul—were designated for potential closure. Holding nine out of 26 seats on Moray Council, the Scottish Conservatives require backing from other political groups to secure the passage of votes. The initial Conservative press release “unintentionally” conveyed the impression that the decision to abandon the library closures had been collectively made by the entire council. In the revised statement, Conservative council leader Kathleen Robertson indicated that her administration had acknowledged the “overwhelming opposition” expressed by numerous campaigning groups throughout Moray. “Now there is an opportunity to bring forward alternative plans and work with our communities to deliver the library services that they want and meet their needs,” she said. “The council group I lead is committed to supporting local services while also balancing our budget against a tough backdrop,” Mrs Robertson added. Karen Adam, the Scottish National Party’s Member of the Scottish Parliament for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, commented: “Their announcement of a U-turn on the proposed closures on Monday brought a great sigh of relief to those local communities with whom I have had the pleasure of working.” But she also stated: “To U-turn on their U-turn mere moments later is at best unprofessional and at worst cruel.” Cullen library is among the facilities designated for potential closure. In response to the ambiguity surrounding the council’s stance, community councillor Les Tarr remarked: “Residents in Cullen and across Moray deserve better.” “This has not been a sequence of events that put either Moray Council or the Conservative administration in a great light.” As an individual affiliated with the Friends of Cullen Library group, he expressed relief upon learning that the council intended to explore alternative solutions rather than proceeding with immediate library closures. “We have to welcome the outreach to the community on alternatives, but need assurances that they will be listened to, and that adequate time is available to allow them to be fruitful,” he said. The Friends of Cullen Library, in conjunction with activists from various areas of Moray, have organized multiple demonstrations aimed at preventing the proposed closures. “For me personally as a community councillor the process has shown me that the community can come together and fight its corner,” he said.