The county council’s ruling executive is tomorrow (Tuesday) expected to wash its hands of 32 libraries – putting them in the private sector or closing them for good to save £2million.
Independents who have supported the ruling Tories came up with an alternative proposal to keep all libraries in council hands, cutting opening hours and staffing costs, and saying that would save £1.9million.
But Labour’s Phil Dilks, who opposes the cutbacks, said the Independents’ plan wasn’t allowed an airing at yesterday’s Public Safety and Scrutiny Committee.
Coun Dilks tweeted live from the committee’s debate.
He told the Free Press he still hopes the executive will see sense and listen to the 9,000-plus people in The Deepings who signed a petition to keep their library in Market Deeping.
He said: “Deepings people have run a magnificent, cross-party campaign – the biggest from across Lincolnshire – pointing out the big mistake.
“It’s ludicrous to close Deepings libary and replace it with two hours a month from a mobile while far smaller places like Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa keep theirs.”
Around 150 jobs will be axed under the council’s plan.
Public service union Unison opposes the cuts and also the alternative proposals put forward by the Independents, saying they too will see job cuts and a poorer service for the public.