Teignbridge councillor David Weekes has branded Devon County Council's decision to consider closing libraries as illogical. The criticism comes as it is revealed that until now there has been no consultation between the county and district councils. Teignbridge Council held a meeting this week about the proposed closure of four libraries in the area. Cllr Weekes, who has recently become the executive spokesman for community services, called the meeting to collect information about Shaldon, Ipplepen, Kingskerswell and Kingsteignton libraries. 'Teignbridge has only just received the form from Devon County Council about library closures,' said Cllr Weekes. 'There seems to be no real logic behind these closures and there has been no consultation between the county council and Teignbridge. 'I wanted to consult the people immediately affected by closure, so I met with representatives from the parish councils and the library action groups from each area,' he said. Cllr Weekes said it was a good meeting which lasted at least an hour and a half. He collected pages of information about the unique and invaluable services that each small rural library offers to its community. 'Some libraries act as small records offices – in villages where there is no museum it is the library that holds the community archives,' said Cllr Weekes. The information collected will be used to complete the Devon County Council form, another of the series of questionnaires produced by Power Marketing. Cllr Weekes was not impressed by the questionnaires, which he considered 'intimidating'. He is concerned that the views of the people who gain the most from their local libraries may be overlooked. 'A lot of Teignbridge councillors are very concerned about library closures,' said Cllr Weekes. 'I am opposed to the closures and Teignbridge will complete the form to voice this opposition.'
