Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has sent a letter to the Leader of Denbighshire County Council urging his Cabinet to “think again” about the proposed 40% cuts to library services in the county.
In October, Denbighshire County 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, a 50% reduction in opening hours across Denbighshire’s Library Service was being proposed.
After a public consultation, the council reduced the cuts to 40%, but Darren is still concerned about the impact such a substantial reduction to a vital service will have on local communities.
Having previously called on the Council to explore alternative measures, on Wednesday he sent a further letter to the council, this time to the Leader Cllr Jason McLellan urging him and his colleagues to listen to the public outcry and maintain current opening hours.
He said:
“While I fully understand the financial pressures that the local authority is facing, I do not believe that reducing the operating hours of libraries is a prudent decision.
“It is clear from the outcome of the public consultation on this issue that there is significant opposition to the plans and that local residents value their local libraries and the benefits they bring.
“Libraries are about much more that access to books. They afford opportunities for lifelong learning, the ability to use IT facilities to get online, information on local history, access to exhibition and meeting spaces, the opportunity to promote the Welsh language and culture, and warm and friendly staff who go above and beyond in supporting local residents, many of whom are vulnerable and visit their library for social interaction or to access a warm space.
“I believe that our libraries represent value for money for local taxpayers and believe that the local authority should look to maintain library opening hours and make budget savings elsewhere.
“I urge the cabinet to reconsider its decision and listen to local residents.”
