Council makes U-turn on future of libraries

Eight libraries will remain under Kirklees Council's control following a consultation

Plans to hand management of a number of council-run libraries to community groups are set to be axed.

Labour-controlled Kirklees Council had proposed putting local volunteers in charge of eight of its 24 libraries.

However, a feasibility study found people were “overwhelmingly” against the idea, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

An alternative proposal, which would see the libraries remain under council control while still achieving the required financial saving, will be voted on at a meeting on 10 September.

'Difficult decisions'

Under the new plans the number of council staff working across all 24 libraries would be reduced.

The local authority will also continue to engage with community partners looking to pursue a community-managed model at their local library.

Kirklees Council has had to make millions worth of savings to avoid effectively having to declare itself bankrupt.

However, it said the required saving of £912,000 could still be achieved through the new proposal.

Amanda Pinnock, cabinet member for education and communities said: "Whilst we have taken into consideration feedback from community stakeholders on our original proposals, we still have difficult decisions to make due to the tough financial circumstances that all councils are facing.

“It’s clear that communities and local organisations want to retain a level of council support for their library and our plans will make sure that happens."

The eight libraries which would have been affected were Honley, Meltham, Marsden, Kirkheaton, Skelmanthorpe, Denby Dale, Mirfield and Shepley.

Another consultation must now be carried out before any changes to the current services are made.

This is set to begin in the autumn and will last a minimum of eight weeks, with the changes not expected to come into force until April 2025.

The council said its previously approved plans to integrate library and customer service functions would still go ahead.

The move has already been completed at customer service centres in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, and will be rolled out across a further eight locations.