Libraries Council won't rule out branch closures

BRISTOL City Council leaders have refused to commit to keeping all libraries open.

- Adam POSTANS

The lack of a pledge came as the public health and communities committee set up a cross-party taskforce to redesign the service for the future amid a long-term cash crisis.

Labour tabled an amendment to the proposed working group's remit to say permanently shutting any of the 26 branches, plus a community-run access point in Lockleaze, should be off the table and not supported by the committee.

But the Greens, Lib Dems and Conservatives voted it down by 6-3 after hearing it would predetermine the taskforce’s recommendations when it reports back in November and deter residents from taking part in the process because it cut the options available.

Council leaders dropped plans to more than halve the funding for libraries from £4.7million to £2.3million a year ahead of the annual budget in February, so that a working group could be formed to review the service without the pressure of cuts and imminent closures.

Branches were previously threatened with the axe in 2018 and 2022 under the previous Labour administration, which backtracked on both occasions following huge public opposition.

Labour's Cllr Tom Blenkinsop told the committee on Friday: "One of the things that would serve the most deprived areas of Bristol least is if their libraries were permanently closed."