Perth and Kinross Council urged to hold fire on library cuts

Perth and Kinross Council Urged to Halt Library Closures

Campaigners in Perth and Kinross are urging the local council to refrain from closing any libraries until they are certain of the government funding it will receive next year. Amid concerns over potential library closures, Finance Secretary Shona Robison recently announced a “record” funding deal for local authorities. Residents from Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie, and Scone have initiated a campaign called Save our Rural Libraries to oppose the looming closures.

The council recently voted on a three-year plan that includes a 10% increase in council tax for the next three years. SNP council leader Grant Laing believes this increase could help prevent further cuts, including library closures. Members of the Save our Rural Libraries campaign emphasize the essential role libraries play in supporting communities and vulnerable individuals.

Euan Wilding, a campaigner from Save our Rural Libraries, stressed the potential harm that closing rural libraries could cause, both socially and economically. The group is urging Perth and Kinross Council to allocate sufficient funding to maintain all threatened rural libraries. While supporting the proposed council tax rise, they are calling for funds to be ring-fenced to secure the future of libraries in the region.

Local communities, including campaigners from Save Birnam Library and Save Scone Library, are voicing their concerns over the impact of library closures. They argue that closing libraries would have lasting negative effects on the community and deprive residents of valuable resources. With a final decision on library closures pending, elected members will convene in February to finalize the council’s budget for the coming years.

Perth and Kinross Council officials acknowledged the concerns raised by the Save our Libraries group and assured ongoing discussions with various stakeholders. While the final decision rests with the council, efforts are being made to explore options to sustain library services within financial constraints. Council tax strategies are being reviewed to provide flexibility in funding decisions, including those related to library provision.

The significance of libraries in local communities cannot be understated, with campaigners advocating for their preservation to safeguard vital resources and community spaces. As the budget-setting process continues, the fate of Perth and Kinross’s libraries hangs in the balance, pending further decisions from the council and government funding allocations.