Letter: Putting the record straight on future library service funding

The particular wording in the quotes, we feel, could mislead the public's perception of the proposal to relocate Church Stretton library to Church Stretton School, which is currently under consultation.

Michael Lewis is quoted as saying: "We've still got to make difficult choices, but we are trying to make sure there are no job losses. I'm not saying there won't be job losses, because if a library does close then there won't be those jobs there anymore. But if we move the service we will move the staff."

We'd like to emphasize that Michael is talking generally about the library service and not specifically about a particular branch.

In the article I am quoted as saying: "If we can relocate it to the school we cut those costs to nothing while still keeping the staff and facilities". This has not come across well. I would like to clarify that I wasn't being specific about Church Stretton library, I was referring to the wider library service. The conversation I had with the Shropshire Star reporter was around the savings we need to make in library services across the county and that future staffing solutions will vary.

Throughout the engagement and consultation work on the proposal to relocate Church Stretton library, Shropshire Council has made it clear that if the library should relocate to the school the existing library staff would not move with the service.

We are keen to hear of other proposals for the future running of the library service that result in the same sustainable savings as the proposal for relocating the service to Church Stretton School, and so strongly encourage library users and residents in Church Stretton to respond to the consultation.

Residents can take part in the consultation by completing the survey online at shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved or by picking up and returning completed forms to Church Stretton Library, the town council office, the Mayfair Centre or Teme Leisure Church Stretton Leisure Centre.

The closing date of the consultation is Monday, March 16.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, Shropshire Council