Campaigner speechless over plans to shut libraries

Jennie Storey has been campaigning to keep the Woodston Library open

A campaigner fighting to keep a library open said they were left "speechless" after a city council announced plans to cut the number of facilities.

Peterborough City Council is facing a budget gap of more than £20m next year to pay for services such as homeless and temporary accommodation, adult social services and health and children's services.

Its money-saving proposals include reducing the current libraries service from 10 static libraries to three, mothballing the lido and raising council tax above 4.99%.

Jennie Storey, from the Friends of Woodston Library, said these were "crucial services" and called the decision "short-termism".

Woodston Library is among the seven libraries facing a threat of closure

Peterborough City Council said, similar to many other councils, it was facing a significant financial challenge caused by "huge increases" in demand for services.

Dennis Jones, the authority's leader, said: "The city would have to call in commissioners - who will come in and sell off anything that is left. And the last thing we want to do is that."

Mohammed Jamil, the deputy council leader, said the authority's spending would continue in areas of "greatest need" such as the care for the elderly and vulnerable, children and families, and housing support.

A consultation on the plans, where residents will be able to have their say, will be open between 17 December and 14 January.

Low literacy rates

The local authority said the possible axing of seven libraries across the city would help save £314,000 a year.

It plans to invest in a modernised central library and two additional libraries, with smaller self-service facilities created in hubs across the city.

Ms Storey said: "I was speechless. [The] council's priority areas are for the elderly and children and we don't understand why the council is not utilising these libraries to deliver these priorities.

"Reducing them to three libraries - with the lowest literacy rates in the country - it does not add up.

"This seems to be short-termism. Concentrating on short term measures for immediate profits in expense of long-term security.

"[Libraries] supply education and learning. They are crucial. Our library provides services for local schools bringing in 40 children every Thursday as well as activities for older people.

"There is so much deprivation around the city including data poverty and that's where libraries can help. They are so much more than books."

The 73-year-old Woodston Library on Orchard Street is on a list of assets Peterborough City Council is considering selling or repurposing to balance its budget.

Earlier this month, Friends of Woodston Library presented the local authority with a petition with 600 signatures calling for it to be saved.