Cheshire East Council has opened public consultation on plans to reduce services at its libraries across the area including Sandbach and Alsager.

At a meeting the full council earlier this year, councillors voted in favour of adopting the council's updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023 - 2027, by a margin of 41 votes for, 28 against, with 3 not voting.

This included approving the revised library service proposals that were changed as a result of the Budget Consultation.

Sandbach Nub News covered the story here

 If the plan goes ahead, it would see current opening hours at all libraries closed for at least 1.5 days during the week and reduced funded for the purchase of new books and newspapers.

This will mean libraries that are:

·      Currently not closed in the week will close for a day and eg Alsager, Congleton, Crewe, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Poynton, Sandbach and Wilmslow

·      Currently closed for 0.5 days in the week will close for an additional day e.g. Holmes Chapel and Knutsford

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·      Currently closed for 1 day in the week will close for an additional half day e.g. Bollington, Handforth and Middlewich

The consultation document states: "If these proposals are not delivered that would result in an overspend within Library Services for this year (2023 to 2024).

"This overspend would need to be found in savings from next year's budget, on top of any further savings that might be required.

"The council has a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to deliver library services.

"The act defines the duties as "It shall be the duty of every library authority to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof".

Residents have until July 9 to comment on the plan here

 You can complete a short online survey, complete a paper version available at libraries, email the research team Emailing the Research and Consultation Team or call 0300 123 55 00