A NEW policy put forward by Staffordshire County Council’s Reform UK administration has sparked questions on whether or not Black History Month and Pride can be marked at libraries.
Cllr Richard Holland, Conservative member for Lichfield Rural North, asked for a "yes or no answer" on potential displays for the October and June events when the economy, infrastructure and communities overview and scrutiny committee considered the proposed new Libraries Displays, Events and Activities Policy.
But he did not receive such an answer, despite repeating his queries.
Committee chair and Reform UK member for Burntwood North Cllr Andrew Clissett warned members on two occasions not to bring political elements into the discussion.
The draft policy was discussed four months after a row erupted over the decision to stop displays during Pride Month.
Thousands of people signed an online petition calling for the council to reverse any policy that prevented libraries and other services from showcasing materials that recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and other protected groups during awareness and heritage months.
Cllr Hayley Coles, the county council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for communities and culture, told the committee:
"As the role of libraries has grown, we have recognised the need for a more consistent framework to help staff make decisions about how library space, time and resources are used across county-managed libraries.
"It’s important to stress this policy isn’t about restricting activity in libraries – in fact it’s intended to support appropriate community activity by providing clearer guidance and a more consistent approach.
"The aim is to make sure decisions are transparent, evidence-based and focused on public benefit and evidenced local need.
"The policy does not apply to books, stock selection or reading materials. Instead it applies to displays, publicity, events, activities, partner activity and content shared through our county-managed library social media channels.
"At the heart of the policy is a balance. We want libraries to remain open, effective, efficient spaces at the heart of our communities, while also ensuring they remain neutral public spaces.
"That means providing information, opportunities and support for residents without creating the impression that the council is endorsing or promoting a particular cause, belief or viewpoint."
A draft library display space schedule for a year indicated that events including Remembrance, Christmas, World Book Day, Easter, St George’s Day and Armed Forces Day could be marked.
Displays could also cover topics such as cost of living and carers’ support, health and wellbeing, volunteering opportunities and fostering.
Conservative representative Cllr Simon Tagg said:
"We’ve had really good libraries and really good changes to libraries that people have accepted and we have never, as far as I’m aware, had any issues with displays.
"Yet we’ve got a policy here that seems to be dealing with something we can readily see is a problem.
"I think having the cabinet member involved in the programme – and the escalations of any issues and removal – brings a political element into it which shouldn’t be there in my view.
"Shouldn’t it just be the officers independently that decide, as I assume they have done for many years on displays and other things that happen and has worked okay?"
Cllr Holland said:
"I’m not entirely sure what the problem is that this policy aims to solve. My questions are about what the policy does in practice, the evidence behind it and whether it meets the council’s equality duty.
"Under this policy as drafted, could a council-managed library put up a Black History Month display next October and a Pride Month display next June? We’re in Black History Month now, but the appendix does not include it for October. So I am compelled to ask if it was even considered and if it was, who decided against it?"
Cllr Coles responded:
"I’d rather expand on that – it’s not a yes or no answer. As a public body, we have a responsibility to provide neutrality and not promote one group or belief over another.
"There is a recent case law example in 2025 that ruled that police celebrating Pride broke their neutrality rules and we have the same application. We have to apply due regard to all of the characteristics, which is what the Community Impact Assessment has done.
"We should not be politically aligned with anything that would upset another group. This is providing that complete neutrality to ensure we stay within the law and all of our residents that are paying taxes towards these services are getting the best benefit from this, without eliminating or discrediting another group."
Reform UK member Cllr Paul Jones said:
"I support the recommendation and the principle behind it. I believe residents are entitled to expect their library service to operate within a clear, consistent and neutral framework across Staffordshire.
"I believe the principle is right – libraries should serve the whole community. Staff need a clear and workable framework and publicly funded services should be politically neutral and apply consistently."
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