12:05pm Thursday 13th July 2006
By Dee Adcock
SMALL libraries under threat of closure have won a reprieve after Dorset County Council's cabinet members agreed to allow a year to find new ways to fund them.
They backed a call from a council committee not to axe 13 libraries as a cost-cutting measure before alternative ways to fund them have been explored.
Members also agreed to cut costs in other ways including staff changes.
But they decided the cost of the consultation must come from the library service's book fund in spite of the corporate services overview and policy development committee's plea to leave it alone.
Elaine Taylor, director of corporate services, said campaigners continued to send objections. Shortly before the meeting she had received a letter of objection from South Dorset MP Jim Knight.
A 500-name petition had also been handed in from West Dorset Liberal Democrats.
She said the aim was for communities to come up with viable ideas that would enable the branches to stay open.
"There's an opportunity now for us to get into the detail and find ways forward."
She added: "The proposal to pay for it by a reduction in the book fund is not something to be recommended in the long term."
Cabinet members heard that the committee did not want it in the short term either.
But they supported the recommendation from Coun Alan Havelock which means the book fund will bear the brunt of the extra consultation.
Councillor David Crowhurst - whose ward includes Puddletown and Crossways libraries that were earmarked for closure - said he thought the consultation would produce workable ideas. He said: "I think this 12 months can be fruitful. I support it."
Cabinet chairman Coun Angus Campbell said: "The main debate has already taken place.
"We have seen all the petitions and letters and endorsed the longer consultation. Now we have changed the funding source to pay for it, which was necessary."
Branches listed for possible closure include Chickerell, Burton Bradstock, Wyke Regis and Portland Underhill.
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