In response to repeated questions on the same theme from Ms Charteris, who also asked questions submitted by members of the public, Mr Stennard said 13 libraries were established as the “best fit for the borough”, but acknowledged there was “no specific modelling” to back this up.

Fewer members of the public than the estimated 150 people who attended the first day were at the Floral Pavilion for the end of the hearing, but they applauded when the counsel to the inquiry, Samantha Leek, asked what seemed to be the key question of the two days.

She pressed Mr Stennard on the fact most of the libraries slated for closure are in “deprived areas” and asked what the council was doing “to ensure those people are not disadvantaged”.

Mr Stennard, who earlier outlined various outreach schemes and plans to move services currently offered through libraries elsewhere, offered to submit a written answer to her question.

The Department of Culture now aims to have a decision on the future of Wirral’s libraries by the end of next month

The public inquiry was called by former culture secretary Andy Burnham MP, just hours before the first premises were due to close.