Desford Library’s future still in the balance

THE LIBRARY in Kirby Muxloe looks set to be the next to be discharged into the hands of volunteers while Desford’s facility may still close.

A business case from a group of residents who want to run the rural outlet has been accepted by Leicestershire County Council.

It means formal agreements can now be made to transfer the library. It is the latest in a string of village libraries which have been taken on by community groups over the last two years.

The county decided to offload up to 36 of the smaller, rural libraries in a bid to save £800,000. So far 27 have been transferred over with just one, Barwell, closing and being replaced by a mobile service.

However the closure tally could increase if no deal can be struck with the community group which had hoped to operate Desford Library.

Desford Community Group submitted a successful bid to the council to take over the venue in May last year. But following legal advice, the group asked the council to spend £45,000 on repairs to the slate roof, heating system and windows before it signed a 10-year lease agreement.

Reluctant to pump money into repairs not seen as priorities, the council refused.

At the latest county cabinet meeting councillors voted that if no agreement could be reached with the group by the end of September a three month consultation exercise be launched to explore alternative library provision.

A contingency fund of £150,000 is available from the authority for improvement works and the group had been urged to apply for a proportion of this once the lease has been signed but were hesitant to take the risk of receiving nothing or less than required.

Councillors decided to extend the time for which the money is on offer until it is exhausted and the possibility of future provision then be reviewed.