THE inquiry into the proposed closure of 11 libraries in Wirral will continue today at the Floral Pavilion.

Although scheduled to be completed by 12.30pm, provision has been made for it to continue until 2pm.

After opening comments from the chairman Sue Charteris, Wirral council will be giving evidence from 10am, followed by a question and answer session at 11.15am.

That will be followed by “final right of reply for the Secretary of State’s representative”.

A team of three has been sent by the culture department, while the council has been represented by its director of regeneration Alan Stennard, Richard Clayton, QC, and Bill Norman, head of the authority’s legal department.

Ms Charteris said today’s agenda would include a number of themes which had emerged.

These include examining whether the council’s planned library provision would meet the needs of adults and children, in accordance with the 1964 Library Act.

It follows what amounted to a day of criticism of the proposed library closures as part of the council’s Strategic Asset Review.

Campaigners for libraries across the borough listed reasons why their libraries should remain open, making many powerful points.

Many described the damage which poorer communities and vulnerable people would suffer as a result of losing a library near them.

Valerie Curtis, of Irby, said no account had been taken of Wirral’s rural areas in deciding which libraries to shut.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth Webster, of Hoylake, pointed out the value of internet access provided by libraries for children and the unemployed, who do not have their own computers.

Conservative Parliamentary candidates Esther McVey and Jeff Clarke highlighted the distinct and separate communities which make up Wirral, while Cllr Leah Fraser highlighted public transport issues.