THURROCK Council will be keeping all its libraries open in the next financial year, despite having to make millions of pounds worth of cuts.
Cllr Lynn Worrall, the council’s portfolio holder for Community, Culture and Leisure, told Friday (18 February) night’s meeting of the cabinet: “Councils across the country have been hitting the headlines because they are closing libraries.”
The question of saving money from the libraries’ budget had been postponed from earlier in the year because the council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee wanted a closer look at the original plans and suggest options.
Cllr Worrall said: “I can state categorically that these latest proposals keep each and every one of our libraries open. Their hours may reduce, but each and every one will stay open.
“We all recognise the difficult financial climate we are now in and the need for services to achieve savings. Unfortunately, library services cannot be exempt.
“However we also recognise the vital role library services plays in our communities and we have therefore sought to ensure we are able to make short-term savings which minimise the impact on our communities.
“This will allow us to take extra time for an in-depth examination at possible future options for the long-term development of this service.”
Cllr Worrall said: “The preferred option now is to reduce staffing hours for all library staff excluding those currently contracted for 15 hours a week or less. This will result in the closure of all libraries for one day a week.”
A dozen members of library staff attended the meeting and looked what can only be described as ashen faced as the news was read out.
Great news that Thurrock is to keep its Libraries, but cut staff and opening hours….very short sighted decision.