Residents’ views sought on proposals for Bishop’s Castle Library
Shropshire Council is inviting residents in Bishop’s Castle and the surrounding area to give their views on proposals for their local library service.
A period of consultation started today and will run until Monday 31 August 2015.
The library is one of several services currently run by Shropshire Council based at Enterprise House in Bishop’s Castle, which is operated by Enterprise South West Shropshire.
Over the past six months the council has been working closely with key local partners including Enterprise South West Shropshire to develop opportunities and proposals for new ways of delivering the services currently housed in Enterprise House.
These proposals are being put forward following conversations with local partners including Bishop’s Castle Town Council and Friends of Bishop’s Castle Library, which have explored the best options to ensure the future sustainability of the library.
The proposals detailed within the consultation document, which people are being asked to respond to are:
1) Transferring the day-to-day running of the library to Enterprise South West Shropshire. This means the library will remain in its existing location and opening times will not be affected. Existing library staff will transfer to Enterprise South West Shropshire, who will continue to provide the same range of services currently available.
2) The library remaining under council management, with reduced opening hours.
There is also an opportunity for residents to suggest other sustainable and cost-effective alternatives the council should consider for the future delivery of the library service in Bishop’s Castle.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: “Libraries are an integral part of the community, and this is why we have been working extremely hard with our partners to ensure we can find sustainable solutions to enable libraries to continue to thrive for future generations to come.
“We very much look forward to hearing people’s views on these proposals.”
Charlotte Barnes, local Shropshire Councillor for Bishop’s Castle, added: “Bishop’s Castle Library is a very important place in Bishop’s Castle. User numbers are very high and its current location works well for people who use the library. I urge people to take part in this important consultation. This is our chance to make sure we have our say on this important facility, and secure its future.”
Peter Phillips, Chair at Enterprise South West Shropshire, commented: “I do hope residents will give their support – and further suggestions are most welcome. At a time when public services like libraries are facing challenging times, we have the chance of keeping our much loved library going. Indeed, with all the enthusiasm that local groups can bring, we can see it flourishing.”
Residents can pick up a copy of the consultation document along with a set of answers to frequently-asked questions at Bishop’s Castle Library.
Comments can also be submitted online by going to shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/ and searching for Bishop’s Castle Library.
