Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has expressed his disappointment that Denbighshire Council Council’s Cabinet has taken the decision to reduce Library/One Stop Shop opening hours by 40%, despite there being so much opposition to the cuts.
Over 4,500 residents responded to the consultation on the original proposal to cut opening times at all of Denbighshire’s eight libraries by 50%, and James also received a substantial number of emails and calls from residents who were concerned about the impact the cuts would have on those who currently use library services - particularly young children and older people.
At Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, a revised proposal to cut opening hours by 40% was put forward, which was subsequently passed.
Commenting afterwards, James said:
"Whilst I appreciate the financial position that Denbighshire County Council are currently facing, I do not believe that cutting library services is the answer.
“So many people across the county were against this reduction in services, and rightly so, yet the Cabinet has decided to plough on regardless.
“As I said in my response to the consultation, libraries enable and encourage education, professional and personal development, entertainment, leisure activities, companionship, and more. They connect people with books, but they also connect people with people, and at no time has that been more crucial than here and now in Denbighshire. The reduction in service would impact the most vulnerable in our society.
“I feel strongly that the wrong decision has been made and could end up costing rather than saving the Council money in the long run.”
Please also see: https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/news/mp-deeply-concerned-plans-slash-lib… and https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/news/proposed-cuts-library-opening-times….
