Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge residents will have an extra seven weeks to share their views on the County Council’s proposals for the town’s library.
The closing date for the consultation has been extended from Sunday 22 April to Wednesday 13 June after the council says it “listened to feedback from the public, partners, Councillors and communities.”
Councillor David Hall, Cabinet Member for Resources and Economic Development at Somerset County Council, announced the decision this week.
In response to a number of requests, further information on what a ‘Community Library Partnership’ and ‘Library Outreach Services’ could mean for library users is also now available.
The council has also updated its questionnaire so that it is now based on the library that respondents visit most often (rather than an area). Extra detail has also been added to the proposals.
Following today’s decision, the additional information and updated questionnaire will be available online here or in all Somerset libraries from Wednesday 21st March.
As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com, Somerset County Council says Highbridge Library could close under its cost-cutting proposals unless local volunteers are found to keep it open.
Cllr David Hall said on Thursday: “Thank you to all those who have responded so far – that feedback has been recorded and will be taken into account.”
“It’s important to us and it’s important to you that we make our library service sustainable for the future. You said you wanted more time to consider the proposals, more information and we have listened.”
“We will make decisions only when we are confident we have as detailed a picture as possible on how our proposals could affect you, your family and your community. Giving you more information and more time will help both you and us achieve this.”
All responses to the consultation submitted before Wednesday 21 March will be fully considered by decision makers, but those who have already shared their views are encouraged to review the additional information online at www.somerset.gov.uk/librariesconsultation and in any Somerset library.
If you have any further comments you’d like to make after reviewing this supplementary information, please email librariesmail@somerset.gov.uk.
Alternatively, write to Libraries Consultation 2018, B3S, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY or contact Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224.
