Library hours could be cut by trust plans (From Durham Times)

Library hours could be cut by trust plans

8:00am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in News By Mark Tallentire

Library hours could be cut by trust plans

A COUNTY’S libraries could have their opening hours cut before they are transferred to a charitable trust, it emerged last night.

Yesterday, The Northern Echo revealed how Labour-led Durham County Council is considering putting the management of flagship venues, including the Gala Theatre, Killhope lead mining museum and Hardwick Park, into a non-profit-making trust.

Last night, proposals emerged to cut opening hours to 36 a week at town centre libraries and 20 a week at community libraries.

Mobile library services would also be cut. The bus would only visit settlements more than four miles from the nearest library and stop only once in each village. Readers would also be warned to “use it or lose it”.

Opening hours at Clayport Library, in Durham, would be unaffected, while some money would be available to improve library buildings, and opening times would be discussed with residents during a 12-week consultation.

However, the proposals have prompted questions about the independence of the proposed trust, which would be one of the biggest in the country with a budget of more than £30m a year.

Lib Dem leader Councillor Nigel Martin said: “This is where the Big Society can make a big difference. The aim must be to create a vehicle which will embrace local communities.

“But we have had 100 years of Labour’s mining model of ‘we can run your communities for you’.

“This cannot be another vehicle for people at the centre to direct what is going on around the county.”

Tory leader Coun Richard Bell said he supported leisure centres being trust-run, but said adding libraries was untested and concerned him.

He said it was unfortunate councillors had learnt of the plans through the press.

The council faces cuts of nearly £150m over the next four years, including nearly £1.5m from libraries spending.

Coun Maria Plews, the cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “We are confident that the changes we are proposing will enable us to offer a financially sustainable library network that is vibrant, modern and enjoyable to visit despite our reduced budget.”

The council’s cabinet will discuss the proposals at County Hall, Durham, at 9.30am next Wednesday.