The future of a library that won a “reprieve from cuts” is still set to be debated with further cuts to budgets yet to come. This comes after proposals to cut more than £100,000 from Bolton’s library and museum services at the last council budget meeting earlier this year. But questions have now been raised at town hall, particularly about the future of Blackrod Library on Church Street with claims that there has been no further communication from council officials.
Cllr Samantha Williamson, of Horwich South and Blackrod, said: “In the last budget, Blackrod Library secured a reprieve from cuts, thanks to the efforts of HBFI it was agreed that the model or offering would still need to be reviewed. “But several months have passed and we’ve had no contact and neither have Blackrod Town Council, have been approached by executives or anyone or anyone from library services to discuss the library’s future. Library services have been cut across Bolton (Image: Newsquest) “Blackrod Library is a vital community hub for young and old alike and it links in well with local groups and schools, houses and also the Town Hall Chambers of Blackrod.
“We do not want to find ourselves in the same position come the next budget, fighting cuts without reasonable engagement.” The budget set out in February agreed to cuts of around £11M and a council tax rise of up to five per cent. This included controversial measures like the dimming of streetlights and cutting back on rubbish c.