Save Ryhall Library: Campaigners told they have six weeks to try and save their library at council meeting
Villagers have six weeks to try and save their library after councillors agreed with a budget proposal recommending its closure.
A 30 strong contingent drove across from the Eastern Rutland village to Rutland County Council's headquarters in Oakham this morning to show their displeasure at the authority's plans to shut down the popular venue and possibly sell off the building.
Until last week, the library had been part of a scheme along with the county's other three public libraries for a series of improvements, and the council said £70,000 (from funding sources including the Arts Council) had been set aside for improvements.
But the Liberal Democrat run council has now said following an undisclosed survey that the work is more likely to cost £250,000 which is unaffordable.
It will be the full council of 26 elected councillors that makes the decision at the budget setting meeting for the 2025/26 financial year on February 27th. There is a possibility a budget amendment concerning keeping the library could be put forward to the wider authority.
At the meeting to approve the plans for the budget, members of the six strong cabinet said the finances were very tight, in part due to a reduced settlement from the new Labour government. A grant specifically for rural authorities has been removed. The authority, which last year decided to close Catmose Leisure Centre due to financial pressures, is proposing to increase the council tax to Rutland residents this year by 4.99 per cent.
Proposing the draft budget, Councillor Andrew Johnson said the 'financial outlook for the council has never been so uncertain' and 'setting the budget has been extremely difficult'.
Cabinet member for communities Christine Wise said: "I hope the public will respond. I think this is an opportunity and I think it has been misrepresented."
Leader Gale Waller said setting the draft budget had not been an easy process: "I will admit we have argued the toss a few times during these few months and will continue because if the finance settlement [from the government] comes out worse for us than the predicted position then we are going to have to look for more cuts."
She refused to answer questions from the media after the meeting.
Cabinet member for communities Councillor Christine Wise (Lib Dem) said 'the library is unlikely to be able to continue in the same way'. She said in 'an ideal world' the council would have the money to do the work the building needs but the council is having to live within its means.
She said: "We are saying come up with some ideas. Let's have some innovative ideas."
Asked why the volunteers, who have been involved in running the service alongside council staff, were not told about the possible closure before it appeared on council papers, the councillor said: "We need to remember there is due process in employment law and contract law, with the Arts Council etc, and I know the announcements had to be made in a very careful order".
Councillor Wise admitted she did not know much about the community ownership situation. All across the country libraries have been handed over to community groups to run due to shortfalls in budgets. Councillor Wise said the council could look at the option if it came forward in the consultation.
The news of the possible closure came out of the blue, but villagers and the parish council have quickly mobilised to create an action group. Before the meeting a signature of almost 1,400 names was handed over to the authority. School children have also been getting involved as the learning centre is a popular venue for after school and also for members of the older population.
Speaking after the meeting a number of residents said they were unclear on what happens now and closure of the library would go against the council's own strategies regarding helping vulnerable people.
Villager Natalie Forkin said any decision to close Ryhall's library would be 'another nail in the coffin of English society'.
It is likely now that the county councillors for the ward, Councillor Kevin Corby (Independent) and Councillor David Wilby (Con) will have to try and set up talks between the community and the council and its officers.
After the meeting Councillor Corby said: "The right way to deal with these things is to consult first. A problem shared is a problem halved. What we want to see now from the council is full disclosure on the library costs and what has been happening in the maintenance programme."
The action group will hold another meeting on January 22 and the matter will be on the parish council's next meeting agenda on February 3.
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