Caerphilly library closures on hold after High Court injunction

Plans to close 10 libraries across Caerphilly have been put on hold after the High Court granted an interim injunction.

The closures were due to take place on 8 September following what the council called the High Court’s “refusal to grant an interim injunction” against it.

But Caerphilly council said the decision had since been appealed and overturned which it called “disappointing”.

The council said it was still “committed” to progressing its “ambitious libraries strategy”.

Campaigners opposing the library cuts say smaller communities will be the worst-hit by the closures, which risk sending them “back to Victorian times”.

The decision was made earlier this year after the council said it was facing a £29m budget gap over the next three years meaning “financial challenges” were inevitable.

Caerphilly council said the libraries will reopen to the public “as quickly as possible” until the outcome of the appeal.

“It’s disappointing that the original decision has been overturned but we must respect the legal process,” said Carol Andrews, cabinet member for libraries.

“We are still committed to progressing our ambitious libraries strategy, which will help deliver a resilient and sustainable Library Service for the future,” she added.

A Welsh government spokesperson said local authorities are facing “challenges” across the board.

“That’s why this Welsh Labour Government delivered an additional 4.5% to the local government settlement in the 2025-26 budget,” they added.