Southend City Council could close libraries in money-saving bid

A petition has been launched to save Southchurch Library, in Southend, from closure or cuts

City libraries could be closed or have reduced opening hours in an effort to save money.

Southend-on-Sea City Council had a projected overspend of £14m for 2024/25 but plans showed £200,000 could be saved by closing two of the city's six libraries.

The two sites have not been identified in the proposals.

Conservative council leader Tony Cox said "no firm decisions" on any closures had been decided.

Residents have campaigned to spare Southend's libraries from cut backs. Kerry Phillips started a petition to save Southchurch Library, in Lifstan Way, which received 1,000 signatures.

"My children have used the library over the years and I didn't want it to just become another cost saving exercise," the 40-year-old said.

"It is a building that sits at the heart of the community. When you read the comments on the petition you can see how many people love it."

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Ms Phillips has called on the city council to not be "narrow-minded" and to explore the potential of other services being used inside libraries.

"We can't accept that it's acceptable to close every public amenity and just have nothing, it doesn't feel like the right thing to do," she added.

Mr Cox said the council's cabinet would discuss a raft of savings measures when it meets on 12 December.

Conservative council leader Tony Cox said no decision had been made on the future of Southend's libraries

He said there would be a public consultation before any decisions were made which affected libraries.

"We have inherited a financial mess and it is incumbent on us to sort it out," the councillor said.

"The aim is to make these hub locations, so we would still be providing a good library service in locations where people can go to do their homework, to loan books and obtain other services.

"No councillor wants to go into politics to just make these savings but what is the alternative?"

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