Council accused of 'picking on the libraries'

Alison Hebblethwaite-Todd (right) and friend Melissa say they understand council financial pressures but asked councillors to stop targeting library facilities

Users of a West Yorkshire library at risk of having its hours cut as part of local authority cost-saving measures have accused a council of "picking on" the facilities.

Normanton is one of 12 libraries in Wakefield which could see opening hours reduced in order to help balance the books, with the council facing a £88m budget deficit over the next five years.

A consultation on the move, which could also impact museums in the district, runs until 14 March, with one resident describing Normanton Library as a "proper community hub".

Wakefield Council said it was having to make "some tough decisions" in our budget, with venues planned to open later or close earlier.

The proposed library opening hours would mean a loss of 39 hours across the libraries, with Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract museums also seeing reduced hours along with Pontefract Castle.

Alison Hebblethwaite-Todd, 65, described the potential move as "appalling" as "not every family can afford books".

"There's things that happen in libraries, it's not just about books," she said.

"There's activities in libraries where people can take their children."

The changes would see Normanton Library open at 10:00 instead of 9:30, and close two hours earlier on a Monday at 15:00 instead of 17:00.

It would also close an hour earlier on a Tuesday.

Ms Hebblethwaite-Todd concluded: "I understand the cuts, but stop picking on the libraries."

Ayo Alamalamou, who uses the library in Normanton to study, says it is a well-used facility

Ayo Alamalamou, who has two young children, said he visited the library when he required a quiet space to work from.

"I use the library most of the time and mostly use it for study," he said.

Despite the potential move impacting the hours he could spend there, he said he was supportive of the proposals to reduce hours at the libraries.

"It makes sense in terms of the financial pressure, [it would be] fair for all," he said.

Candy Braim, 65, said she used the library "at least three times a week" and attended several groups at the facility including an IT support class.

"It's a place to keep warm and a proper community hub," she said.

Ms Braim wants the council to keep the current opening hours, adding: "If it is going to be open fewer hours it isn't good for us and the staff."

Candy Braim describes the library in Normanton as a 'proper community hub'

The plans form part of the authority's 2025/26 budget proposals to make savings of £29m.

Other savings include reducing the use of hotels for homelessness provision and reducing external placements in children's social care.

Council leader Denise Jeffery said: "Like councils across the country we're still dealing with a legacy of years of underfunding and the impact of inflation on our budget.

"With increasing demand for our services, that can't be sorted out overnight."

She continued: "It means that we're having to make some tough decisions in our budget this year to enable us to move forward with confidence.

"As we do that, we're placing community feedback about local priorities at the heart of our plans."

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