Library campaign group in 'stalemate' with council

Supporters of Woodston Library in Peterborough say it should remain council-funded

Campaigners fighting to save their local library at risk of being sold have said they have reached a "stalemate" with the council.

The Friends of Woodston Library group said the proposal that it be community-run for a year to test its future viability was "sprung" on them and that it does not have the funds to do this.

The 73-year old Orchard Street library is on a list of assets Peterborough City Council is considering selling or repurposing to plug a black hole in its finances.

Labour's deputy council leader Mohammed Jamil said decision-making with regards to the library has been "paused" to allow the group to explore "new operating models".

While it will not receive council funding, it could be kept running through fundraising or external grants, he said.

Jennie Storey, from the Friends of Woodston Library, said her group would "continue the campaign" after presenting the council with a petition asking that it be kept open.

"We're in a bit of a stalemate, but we're not giving up," she said.

The council "noted" Ms Storey's petition, which has more than 600 signatures, but did not either adopt it or an alternative.

She said the group has now approached a local MP as it continues to call for the library to operate with funding from the council.

Jennie Storey said Friends of Woodston Library would not give up their fight

Jamil's proposal that the council take no further action in order to allow the 12-month trial to take place was voted down by the majority of councillors.

But the council said this will still happen.

The Labour councillor said after the meeting the council was "proposing a year-long trial, and will be working proactively together with the Friends group to explore new operating models".

"This will include the use of volunteers to extend opening hours, seeking ways to generate funding from external grants, exploring opportunities for income generation and fundraising, etc.," he said.

The deputy leader added that the council was in its "most challenging financial position ever" ahead of its latest budget, which will be published next week.

"Everyone has a right to keep their community centre or library open, but unfortunately the financial situation this council finds itself in does not allow that," he said.

The Friends group said it would not consider taking on the library itself while tens of thousands of pounds of repairs need to be carried out.

Ms Storey said "with regards to the money, they [the council] say they can't afford to run it – we would say they can't afford to close it".