Former Doncaster Mayor wins library legal battle

A former mayor today won a legal fight over library funding which a leading judge said raised "important issues" about local authority power structures.

Peter Davies, who was the elected mayor of Doncaster from 2009 until earlier this year, came under fire from a local woman after deciding not to spent nearly £400,000 on libraries.

Carol Buck look legal action claiming that Mr Davies had acted unlawfully by refusing to implement a "budget amendment" on library funding agreed by councillors.

A High Court judge had ruled against Ms Buck and three appeal judges today also rejected her claim.

But one appeal judge - Lord Dyson, the second most senior judge in England and Wales - said Ms Buck's case had been important.

"Ms Buck claims a declaration that the mayor has acted unlawfully in refusing to implement the budget amendment determined by the full council," said Lord Dyson.

"The claim raises important issues as to the division of powers between a directly elected executive and the full council of a local authority."