Bollington library to close?

First it was news that Cheshire East school meal services are to end next year.

Now Cheshire East Council is refusing to comment on reports that several libraries have been marked for closure..

Campaigners say the libraries at Bollington, Alderley Edge, Disley and Handforth are all under threat of closure from next year.

We understand Cheshire East is planning to consult the public on the proposals next month – which we all know means the decisions have been made but the council needs us to believe we’ve influenced its decisions.

The council side-stepped questions when asked whether closure is on the cards for any of the four named libraries.

Cllr Mick Warren (Macclesfield, Ind), who chairs the environment and communities committee, said: “The council’s adopted medium-term financial strategy (MTFS) for 2024 to 2028 sets out proposals for how the council will balance its budget for the next four years.

“This includes proposals to ensure the ongoing affordability of providing a broad range of library services across Cheshire East, while also making the necessary savings the council must deliver to protect essential services and continue to support those who need help the most.

“In June, the environment and communities committee will consider a report which seeks approval to launch a public consultation on a number of options for library services, including how some of the council’s smaller libraries can be operated in a different way.

“No final decisions have yet been made.”

He added: “Subject to approval by committee, we expect to launch the consultation later in June and will be encouraging people to have their say through this, as well as engaging with community organisations and town and parish councils to explore opportunities for working in partnership to support library services in their local areas.”

In July 2023, Cllr Warren said: “Unlike some local authorities that have undertaken similar reviews of library services, we have never proposed any full closures of our library sites, but we do also have no choice but to change the way in which we operate our services.”

If Cheshire East continues to reduce and close its services we’ll eventually reach the point where are council tax only covers Cheshire East’s wage and pension fund.