Libraries put under threat by need for £130k cuts

libraries. Councillors are looking to make the savings at the community library level and two options will now be explored in more detail.

The first option concerns three libraries which are housed in buildings which are not sustainable at Bailiff Bridge, Beechwood Road in Halifax and at Walsden.

It is estimated it will cost at least around £600,000 to bring them up to reasonable standard – including £500,000 at Bailiff Bridge – and likely options include keeping the services but housing them in other buildings, owned by the council or otherwise, in each community.

Officers have also been asked to explore how services within the community could be relocated in a similar way at Greetland, Mixenden, Mytholmroyd, Skircoat and Northowram.

Clr Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden), Cabinet member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said the council faced financial challenges and some changes had to be made.

“In future we want to provide a good quality service right across Calderdale,” she said.

“One thing we absolutely have ruled out is the closure of our community libraries.”

Clr George Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) questioned the cost of work needed to be done at Bailiff Bridge but Clr Press said that is what would be required to bring it up to the necessary standard.

Clr Bryan Smith (Lab, Ovenden) asked Cabinet to consider ensuring that if any buildings were disposed of that should be at the full market value, not given away to other organisations.