Reform UK has withdrawn all of Lancashire County Council’s libraries from the Library of Sanctuary scheme.
There are 63 libraries managed by Lancashire County Council, and one – The Harris – managed by Preston City Council, in the authority’s area and all were signed up to the Library of Sanctuary scheme by the previous Conservative administration at the end of 2022.
It is not immediately clear if the move includes the library at The Harris, but Blog Preston understands Preston City Council will explore reapplying for accreditation if that is the case.
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When the accreditation was announced in February 2023, Lancashire County Council celebrated the award as recognition ‘for the vital role they play in supporting people who are seeking sanctuary’.
The Library of Sanctuary accreditation was in place for three years, at which point the authority could choose to renew or allow it to lapse.
And the cabinet member responsible for Lancashire’s libraries said that he took the decision to end the participation citing it not being ‘an appropriate use of taxpayers’ money.”
This is despite the accreditation being free.
Cllr Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, Lancashire County Council, said: “The Libraries of Sanctuary accreditation reached the end of its agreed term in 2025 and I took the decision to end our participation at that point.
“The scheme is voluntary, and I do not believe it represents an appropriate use of taxpayers’ money. Our libraries serve all the residents of Lancashire.”
Blog Preston asked how the decision was communicated to other elected members and library staff.
The authority said that library staff were told of the decision in a meeting via managers.
But councillors have said that the first they heard about the decision was when Cllr Salter confirmed it during Thursday’s (12 February) Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee.
That came in response to a question from Cllr Aidy Riggott, the leader of the Conservatives at County Hall, who had asked how the authority’s plans for Lancashire’s libraries would affect any Library of Sanctuary work.
He said: “I am not too sure why Lancashire County Council has withdrawn from the scheme. I don’t recall any objections, including from those now opposing it who served on the County Council at the time of the accreditation, or any complaints being received from members of the public over this scheme. I am not aware of any cost to the taxpayers of Lancashire.
“Lancashire has a proud history of supporting those fleeing from war and persecution and I hope the County Council under Reform’s leadership are not turning their backs on those people settling here from places like Ukraine or Hong Kong.
“I am also getting increasingly concerned that the Reform administration is stepping away from the strong commitment that recent Conservative administrations have shown to our libraries. We reopened them, invested in them and now quite worryingly, it seems Reform will not commit to keeping them all open.”
At the start of February, Blog Preston reported how Reform UK’s chief whip at Lancashire County Council, Cllr Luke Parker, had criticised Preston City Council’s leader Cllr Matthew Brown over a decision to consider The Harris for the Museum of Sanctuary accreditation. Cllr Parker was criticised for using AI to generate an image of The Harris with refugees queuing outside to get in.
As part of our reporting for that story, we asked various people at Lancashire County Council, including the relevant cabinet member Cllr Salter, what that criticism meant for the authority’s involvement in the Library of Sanctuary scheme.
We did not receive any answers to that question, despite it being the case that Lancashire County Council had already withdrawn from the accreditation. Several councillors spoken to for that story believed the libraries remained part of the scheme and so we wrongly reported that the the libraries remained a part of it.
Cllr Brown, who is also a councillor at Lancashire County Council, said: “We are very disappointed to learn of this decision which is particularly divisive after the recent debate concerning the Harris Museum.
“Considering it was also the Tory party that originally introduced Sanctuary status across Lancashire libraries it can hardly be described as outside the mainstream.
“I would suggest Reform Councillors actually meet with Preston City of Sanctuary and listen to the real world stories of those living in Preston who have fled regimes that have threatened them with death, torture or imprisonment.
“As a Labour authority we will continue showing humanity towards people in such a perilous situation. If we were in a similar position in this country we would want UK residents to have places to seek refuge and a safe haven under long standing principles of international law.
“I urge them to reconsider and we will be happy to engage in any positive conversations to bring this about.”
Preston City of Sanctuary have, perhaps unsurprisingly, also called for Lancashire County Council to reconsider the decision taken by Cllr Matthew Salter.
A spokesperson for Preston City of Sanctuary said they were ‘deeply concerned’ by the decision. They said the Library of Sanctuary accreditation is not about special treatment or political messaging, but a commitment to dignity, access to information and community cohesion.
They said: “Removing this status sends a troubling signal at a time when compassion, understanding and social unity are needed more than ever. Libraries are often among the first public services accessed by newly arrived people, offering language resources, digital access, and a sense of belonging. Stripping away Libraries of Sanctuary recognition risks undermining this vital role and diminishing Lancashire’s reputation as a county that values fairness and inclusion.
“Preston City of Sanctuary stands firmly with library staff, volunteers, and community members who have worked hard to make these spaces welcoming for everyone. We believe that supporting people seeking sanctuary strengthens communities rather than divides them.
“We urge Lancashire County Council to reconsider this decision, to engage meaningfully with affected communities and organisations, and to reaffirm the long-standing principle that public libraries are for everyone.”
A spokesperson for City of Sanctuary nationally added: “Libraries of Sanctuary is a UK-wide network where libraries share expertise, resources and learning with each other. Libraries choose to be involved and it’s completely free – it exists to support library staff to do the work they already do, but with greater impact and knowledge behind them.
“Being part of this network means libraries don’t have to figure things out alone – they can learn from each other’s experiences and access practical support to be even better places of welcome for all. When libraries are accessible, signposting is clear and collections reflect the community that use the service, everyone benefits.
“This programme has nothing to do with where people seeking asylum are housed – that’s decided by central government. It’s simply about supporting people once they’re already in an area, helping them find their feet and get on with their lives.
“We hope Lancashire will reconsider and rejoin the network.”
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