October 09, 2023 - 480 views
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is seriously concerned about the impact of Denbighshire County Council’s proposed 50% cut to library opening times on local communities and staff and is calling for alternative measures to be explored.
This week the council announced that it must find significant savings across the Council “in order to ensure it can continue to deliver its essential services”, and that as part of this, it is proposing a 50% reduction in opening hours across Denbighshire’s Library Service.
However, Mr. Millar fears the council are taking the wrong course of action and is urging them to look at alternative measures to save money.
He said: “These are extreme measures and I am very concerned about the impact of them on local communities and indeed on staff whose livelihoods will be greatly affected.
“With councillors only informed of the proposals the day before the consultation opened it is disappointing that they have not been engaged in the process so far.
“Libraries are important facilities for people of all ages and act as a venue for a range of activities. They also offer a warm space and a lifeline for those who are socially isolated.
“I will be responding to the consultation to express my strong opposition to the plans and to encourage the local authority to work with town and community councils and other stakeholders to develop alternatives to these cuts.
"In the meantime, I encourage everyone with an interest in local library services to respond to the consultation to ensure that their voices are heard.”
People have until October 30th to respond to the consultation which can be found at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/755
