Village library will remain open, council confirms

Councillor Christine Wise said a "prolonged process" to relocate the library would "not be in the interest" of library users

A councillor has confirmed that a previously under-threat library in Ryhall is to remain open.

Christine Wise told a Rutland County Council meeting that the authority would continue to run Ryhall Library in its current form after "careful consideration" of alternative options.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the library in Coppice Road came under threat in January when the council stated on budget papers that closure may be an option.

An action group was then set up which called on the council to take a vote on any decision to close the library.

Wise said: "I can confirm that Rutland County Council will continue to operate Ryhall Library service in its current form from its existing premises.

"This follows careful consideration of a range of alternative options.

"It has always been our intention to maintain library services in the east of the county. The question we've been wrestling is how best to do this."

Campaigners had been fighting to keep the library open

The Liberal Democrat councillor said Arts Council funding awarded for upgrade work was not enough to complete extensive repairs found to be necessary, and instead this money would be used to upgrade equipment.

She added: "Having weighed all the factors and with no alternative venues immediately available to support a move of the library service, we have concluded that a prolonged process to relocate the library service and then dispose of the building would not be in the interests of library users."

However, Wise said if the building falls into serious disrepair, the council may need to look at alternatives.

There is a process under way to register the building as a community asset, which means it would have extra protection.