Consultation launches on Cheshire East’s libraries

Residents are invited to have their say on how Cheshire East’s libraries could be run in the future.

Cheshire East Council has launched a six-week consultation on its draft libraries strategy, which includes asking for feedback on a tiering system for how library services would be promoted and invested in going forward. 

The council must make savings in library services of more than £600k over the next two years to support the council’s medium-term financial strategy (MTFS) 2024-2028.

The MTFS needs to achieve budget savings of £100 million to continue offering support to Cheshire East’s most vulnerable residents.  

The consultation runs until Sunday 15 September and can be found online.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said:

“We know that libraries are very important to our residents, and we absolutely recognise the value of the services they offer. 

“Significant financial pressures mean we have to transform the way in which these services are delivered. There is far less money to spend, and we must focus the resources we do have in the places where demand and need is greatest. 

“The proposed tier system for libraries that is included in our draft strategy mirrors how many other councils are already operating their own sites. 

“It provides opportunities for us to deliver library and other council services in a much more joined up way – such as Family Hubs, which bring services together so families with children and young people can access the right help and support, at the right time in one place.

“It also provides us with opportunities to invest in our core sites, explore how we can use them to generate income, and to use new technologies so library services are more accessible to our residents.”

Cllr Warren added:

“While we have been developing our strategy, we have been engaging with community organisations and town and parish councils to explore opportunities for them to support library services in their local area.

“Some of the options that have been put forward as a result of these conversations, which are still ongoing, are included in the consultation so that residents can share their views. This includes proposals for Bollington, Handforth and Disley libraries.”

After considering the feedback from the consultation, final proposals for libraries will be developed and brought back to committee in autumn.