Cheshire East Council is consulting on revised proposals for library services across the borough - with its Macclesfield facility set to have its hours cut.

The council is proposing to reduce the current opening hours of libraries across the borough, including Macclesfield's facility on Jordangate.

These proposals would mean all library sites are closed for at least 1.5 days during the week - with a consultation being launched on how this could be implemented.

The consultation launched on Friday 9 June and will run until 9 July - following the approval of the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy ( MTFS ) in February.

This includes proposals for how the council will balance its budget for the next four years. 

Macclesfield Library is located on 2 Jordangate.

This will mean libraries that are:

• Currently not closed in the week will close for a day and a half - e.g. Macclesfield, Crewe, Nantwich, Alsager, Congleton, Poynton, Sandbach & Wilmslow
• Currently closed for 0.5 days in the week will close for an additional day - e.g. Holmes Chapel & Knutsford
• Currently closed for 1 day in the week will close for an additional half day - e.g. Bollington, Handforth & Middlewich
• Currently closed for 1.5 days or more in the week will stay as they are e.g. - Alderley Edge, Disley, Prestbury

Chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, Cllr Mick Warren, said: "This year, the development of a balanced budget and four-year financial plan for the council was made more difficult in the face of ongoing and significant national funding and cost pressures.

"This included unprecedented inflation, alongside increased complexity and demand for services.

Chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, Cllr Mick Warren (Cheshire East Council).

"There is a £20m funding gap we need to fill, while also ensuring that we can continue to provide essential frontline services and deliver on our ambitions and priorities over the coming years.

"Proposals for the libraries service were included in the draft MTFS , which was consulted on in January.

"Having listened to the feedback gathered during that process, the amount of savings to be made from the library service has now been reduced.

"This means people will still be able to access libraries on Saturdays and in the evenings, and the mobile library service will also not be reduced."

The Library is currently open six days a week. Monday to Tuesday 9am to 7pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

The revised Library Service proposals are to reduce current opening hours so that all libraries are closed for at least 1.5 days during the week, and to reduce funding for the purchase of new books and newspapers.

No changes to the opening hours are being proposed for libraries that are already closed for more than 1.5 days each week.

Cllr Warren added: "Savings must be made, and we have no choice but to change the way in which we operate our services. 

"The proposals we are now consulting on mean that all our libraries can continue to offer the wide range of services they provide.

The library pictured in Winter 2021 from further down Jordangate.

"Alongside the wealth of online resources and services available digitally – but ensure that we can also make the necessary savings the council must deliver to protect essential services."

The council's new proposed Macclesfield library opening hours take into account daily visitor numbers, the number of books issued and computer usage - alongside other local considerations.

This consultation asks the public for suggestions about how they think the council could generate further income - enabling libraries to be kept open for longer.

Cheshire East also seeking expressions of interest from town and parish councils to explore ways of working together to deliver library services in their area.

As well as a reduction in the opening hours for libraries, the proposal agreed as part of the council's MTFS includes a reduction in funding for the purchase of new books and newspapers.

To take part in the 2023 Cheshire East Library Service Consultation, click HERE.

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