Stockport Labour Group fears that the Council is planning major cuts to local libraries in the borough, to be implemented only months after the May 2016 local elections.
In response to Labour questioning at the Council Meeting on 29th October, the Liberal Democrat Executive refused to guarantee that automated, ‘open library’ technology wouldn’t be used to cut staffing levels in Stockport as part of a libraries review next year.
Labour Spokesperson for Council Reform Councillor Kate Butler said, ‘This libraries review has been timed for political purposes, ending just after the local elections, rather than to ensure how best to improve the services which local people use.
‘Technology can either be used to improve library services and extend opening hours or it can be used to cut staff and reduce service levels for the public in a short-sighted bid to save money. Unfortunately the Council seem to prefer the latter approach.
‘The public has a right to know what the Executive are planning to do to in advance of May so that communities can be involved and come together to prevent what could either be library closures, shocking levels of cuts to staffing in local libraries, or both.’
Stockport Council is currently piloting use of self-service Open+ technology at Bramhall Library. Whilst this is being used to test extended opening hours, there are widespread concerns that Open+ could be used to drive cuts to staff and replace them with volunteers.
Elsewhere this technology has been utilised by Tory-run Trafford Council and another Conservative Authority, Peterborough City Council, to aggressively cut libraries staff.
Cllr Butler added, ‘In response to Labour questions in July the Executive Member for Communities refused to rule out the possibility that libraries in Stockport could close.
‘The uncertainty about the future of our libraries is extremely worrying for all local people who use them. They are part of the fabric of local communities and shouldn’t be under threat in this way.’
Stockport currently has 15 libraries which provide a variety of reading, study, information technology and children’s facilities to residents across the borough. The library service currently employs 147 members of staff.