A Bridgend Council scrutiny committee discussed a report ahead of a future public consultation on library services in the county (pdf).
A £360,000 cut to library and cultural services was agreed as part of the previous (2024-25) council budget, but £295,000 worth of cuts and savings are still to be made going into the 2025-26 financial year.
Nearly all of the 10 libraries in the county (and the mobile book service) are managed by Awen Cultural Trust on behalf of BCBC. The only exception (as far as I’m aware) is Sarn Library – which is partially funded by St Bride’s Minor Community Council.
BCBC is allowed to change the terms of its service agreement with Awen. While it’s a legal requirement for local authorities to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service, the interpretation of what a “comprehensive and efficient” service means is left to councils themselves.
A draft version of a future public consultation was made available to the committee (pdf).
There’s no suggestion at this time that libraries will close. However, the consultation points towards relocating smaller stand-alone libraries to other public buildings in the area, such as a leisure centre or community centre.
This is already the case in Bridgend, Bettws, Pyle, Garw & Ogmore Valleys, Sarn and – more recently – Maesteg (following the renovation of Maesteg Town Hall).
The consultation will have two phases. The first phase – set to launch imminently – will seek the views of library users and their wants and needs. The second phase – set to take place in the summer – will seek views on a draft libraries strategy. A final report will then be presented to BCBC’s Cabinet in the autumn.
