A 100-strong demonstration was held outside Wandsworth’s town hall to protest against proposed cuts including the axing of York Gardens library.

Police kept a watchful eye on the protest last Wednesday, which was organised by newly-formed campaign group Wandsworth Against Cuts, as councillors gathered inside the building to debate how to save £55m over the next four years in response to the slashing of Government grants.

The most controversial cost-cutting measure at the year’s last full meeting was a plan to trim-back library services.

Conservative councillors overwhelmed the minority Labour group by voting to back proposals to reduce opening hours at most of the borough’s libraries - and close York Gardens library in Battersea, with a majority of 42 to 13.

Although the proposal goes to public consultation before it can take effect, the outcome angered many onlookers in the public gallery, who had ventured in from the peaceful protest.

One shouted: “You are trying to destroy a little working class community.”

And members of Battersea’s Kambala and Winstanley estates have already contacted this newspaper to raise objections.

Resident, Sandra Munoz, said: “Latchmere is the most deprived ward in the borough, according to the council’s own figures - and it would be devastating to close one of the breathing space of the estate.

“It has been amazing to see the drive, unity and will of the community to rally against that decision. Let's hope the council will hear us and that our children will still be able to access those important resources in our area.”

Josh Sherer described the consultation as a “shameful stitch-up”, claiming it offered no alternative to York Gardens’ closure.

Meanwhile, Clare Kakembo and Celia Lo said scrapping the library would destroy a community hub for toddlers and pensioners.

The council’s cabinet member for environment and culture, Councillor Sarah McDermott, said the authority had been forced into the move due to the recent financial crisis.

During the meeting, she said: “It’s a crying shame it really is that libraries are in the firing line.

“It’s not something we want to get involved with but we have to make the best of a bad lot we’ve been landed with.”

She claimed the closure of the Lavender Road resource would save the council up to £219,000 a year, safeguard Wandsworth’s five smaller neighbourhood libraries - and leave users with only a short walk to Battersea library.

Anyone wanting to respond to the consultation can do so online by visiting wandsworth.gov.uk/libraries or by completing a consultation document at any borough library. It runs until February 6.

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