Council seeks approval for library service cuts

Senior councillors in Birmingham have agreed on plans that would leave seven libraries at risk of closure if partners cannot be found to help run them.

Under the proposals, the Library of Birmingham and 27 community library services will remain open, although some will operate on a part-time basis.

Overall, opening times will be reduced by nearly a third and 38 jobs could be cut as the services merge with the Neighbourhood Advice & Information Service (NAIS) in an attempt to save more than £2m a year.

Previously, worried residents and campaigners described the scaling down as having a devastating impact on the accessibility of books and community spaces.

The report proposing the changes says: "The intention is that library and advice services will work with communities across the city to deliver services closer to more people."

It said it would "modernise" how services are delivered through the creation of partnerships with community groups, businesses and educational establishments.

However, the revised model has proven highly unpopular, with 59% of consultation respondents disagreeing with the proposed changes.

• Bartley Green Library
• Bloomsbury Library
• Boldmere Library
• Frankley Library
• Glebe Farm Library
• Walmley Library
• Sutton Coldfield Library

Some existing community library locations will act as hubs, with longer hours and dedicated advice centres for services, including debt, benefits, housing and employment, the report claimed.

Other locations for library services will operate with reduced opening hours, while some of what is currently provided by the council will "need to transfer with its associated costs to other organisations or be replaced by mobile provision", the report continued.

The authority is planning to cut about £148m of spending, while increasing council tax by 7.49% in the coming financial year.

The savings come after Birmingham City Council (BCC) effectively declared itself bankrupt in September 2023 and was forced to find at least £300m in savings and sell assets worth £750m by April 2026.

The authority made £149m of the £300m planned savings last year through cuts to arts funding in the city, the closure of some libraries, reduced bin collections and the closure of four day centres for adults with learning difficulties.

These latest plans to save money were presented to the cabinet on Tuesday.

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