LIBRARY closures are “not an inherently bad thing”, a hearing into the future of Wirral’s library service was told.

The public inquiry into Wirral council’s controversial plans was ordered in April by the then culture secretary Andy Burnham.

He appointed Sue Charteris to examine whether the council is complying with the 1964 Libraries Act in its obligation to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” service.

Richard Clayton, QC, representing Wirral council, said the inquiry needed to look at what was meant by “comprehensive and efficient” and suggested the wording was vague.

He said: “The real question is: Has the authority acted reasonably?

“Whatever the criticism of the policies, there is a big difference between saying you do not agree with it and that there has been a breach of the Libraries Act.”

Ms Charteris has met with library users across Wirral in the weeks leading up to the two days of formal evidence which concluded yesterday at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion, along with senior councillors, other politicians, library staff and residents.

But Craig Westwood, from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, summed up, saying “the Secretary of State does not believe library closures are inherently a bad thing” but said they need to be taken “in the context of a reasonable understanding of what the local need is”. Ms Charteris concluded the inquiry hearing by thanking those who had taken part, and outlining the timetable for the next stages.

There are two weeks for people to respond to the council’s latest evidence and another week for the authority to answer those.

It is then expected that Ms Charteris will spend up to three weeks writing her report for the secretary of state, who makes the final decision.