Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is calling on Conwy County Borough Council to rule out cuts to library services as part of its financial savings exercise.

Conwy’s Library Service is seeking permission from councillors to consult as part of a review of library opening hours.

In the coming weeks, members of the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet will be asked to give the green light for a consultation with the public.

The Cabinet have warned that they are faced with “the difficult choice of reducing opening hours across all libraries or to close a number of sites”.

Darren is against any changes to library services and is urging the council to scrap these proposals.

He said:

“I am very disappointed and concerned to hear that Conwy Council are heading in the same direction as neighbouring Denbighshire County Council and looking to target library services in a bid to save money.

“As I recently said in a letter to the Leader of Denbighshire Council, whilst I fully understand the financial pressures local authorities are facing, I do not believe that reducing the operating hours of libraries is a prudent decision. I will now be writing to the Leader of Conwy Council to tell him the same.

“Libraries are important facilities for people of all ages and act as a venue for a range of activities. They also offer a warm space and a lifeline for those who are socially isolated. Proposals to cut this vital service should not be on the table.”

He added:

“If this consultation is given the green light, then it is vital that residents respond and make their views known.

“I will be responding to the consultation to express my strong opposition to the plans and to encourage the local authority to work with town and community councils and other stakeholders to develop alternatives to these cuts. 

“I know that there will be a great many people out there who feel as strongly as I do about protecting libraries services, and I urge them all to let the council know.”

If Councillors agree to the consultation, the Library Service will ask people for their opinions on three options.

The consultation is expected to start mid-February, and the results will be taken back to Councillors for a decision in June before implementation in the summer of 2024.