York’s Libraries given 1 year stay of execution

York’s Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed news that a proposed cut to library funding has been delayed – and have called on the Labour Council to scrap the cut altogether.

It has been revealed that the £300,000 cut to the City of York Council’s contract with York Explore will not go ahead this financial year as the Council discovered that they cannot unilaterally change the contract it signed with York Explore.

The Council has had discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Explore and any changes to the contract will be subject to agreement by the Council, York Explore and in consultation with the public.

It has also been revealed that any cuts in the amount paid to York Explore will be coupled with a cut in the services York Explore will provide for the Council.

Councillor Darryl Smalley, former Lib Dem libraries boss (2019-2023) said:

““It is no surprise to anyone that this proposed cut has failed at the first hurdle. The Council should scrap this cut altogether and focus on protecting libraries as vital community hubs.

“The fact the Government (DCMS) have had to intervene highlights what a farce Labour’s leadership of the Council is – I wouldn’t trust them to run a bath let alone run our council.

“It’s truly astonishing that Labour’s Council bosses thought that they could cut £300,000 from York Explore’s contract unilaterally and with no consultation with the organisation. The depth of public concern on this issue is very clear, evidenced by the protests and that over 3,000 local residents signed the Lib Dems’ petition against the funding cuts.

“If they intend to go ahead with this cut, Labour must now set out which services they will no longer provide. Which libraries will close? Will they axe the mobile library? How many librarians will be made redundant? Residents deserve to know.”