Deal leads to £500k city library 'bail-out'

TOWN COUNCIL STEPS IN TO ‘SAVE’ LOCAL FACILITIES AS PLANS CRITICISED

- ALEXANDER BROCK

CRISIS-HIT Birmingham City Council (BCC) has welcomed plans to “save” two libraries following a £500,000 bailout from Sutton Coldfield Town Council.

The future of the city's libraries has been a cause for concern for many residents amid BCC’s financial turmoil and unprecedented cuts to services.

A report this year said the Labour authority's divisive plans would see opening hours for council-led, statutory library provision slashed from 1,049 to 763 hours a week.

Numerous libraries also faced closure if a partner organisation didn’t step in to help.

These include Boldmere and Walmley in the Sutton Coldfield area, which has seen its town centre library recently close due to the condition of the building and safety concerns.

But Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council (RSCTC) confirmed it had reached a “landmark decision” last month as it voted to “save” Boldmere and Walmley libraries, as well as community centres in Mere Green and Walmley.

This means funding of around £505,000 per year will be provided by the Conservative authority.

It went on to say that these “crucial community assets’ will form part of a new service to be launched on November I by the town council.