Jeremy Hilton

Changes to library hours shelved

Gloucestershire County Council’s consultation on changes to library opening hours has been called off.

The council’s Libraries & Information Service was looking at ways of saving money through reducing the opening hours at libraries across the county.

The proposals were part of council wide savings that looked at providing services more efficiently.

This proposal, which was announced last week by Cllr Ron Allen, cabinet member for libraries, looked at closing libraries when they were not being used to their full potential.

But Council Leader Barry Dare has used his prerogative as Council Leader to overrule the previous plan and cancel the consultation.

Cllr Dare said: “This is the first time I’ve had to intervene like this as leader of the council, but having spoken to other councillors, officers and some of our MPs, I think I was right to do so.

“I wasn’t happy with what had been proposed, so I have put a stop to it.

“I’m pleased that, because of money we’ve saved elsewhere, we can keep library opening times as they are.”

For more information about libraries in the county visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries <http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries>.

 

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Cllr. Jeremy Hilton said: “This is a massive climb down by the Tory administration only days after announcing these cuts. Reducing Library hours is a crazy way to run the service. I have already lodged a motion for debate at council objecting to the reduction in library hours. I can only assume that there was a backbench rebellion within the Tory ranks. Under Liberal Democrat leadership of libraries from 2001 to 2005 there was a major investment in libraries including extending opening hours. Instead of looking at reducing hours, the Tory run county council should be extending library hours still further particularly on Sundays. I wonder whether it is now time for the Cabinet Member Ron Allen to make way for someone who can take the county libraries into the 21st Century?”