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Hounslow postpones library cuts
Hounslow council has postponed proposals to save money by cutting eight libraries, after a public consultation showed a majority of residents wanted to keep them all.
The Hounslow Chronicle reports however that campaigners say libraries are not yet safe, as the revised proposals still leave a £569k shortfall from the total sum needed to be saved.
A council spokesman said: "The public response to libraries was positive, with 57% of residents wanting to retain all the sites. As a result of the public budget consultation, Hounslow Council has proposed that immediate savings can be delivered by deferring some book purchases, minimising the risk of library closure.
"In the meantime, a more specific library consultation is under way which will inform the longer term strategy".
Council leader Jagdish Sharma said: "The strong responses offered about a number of the necessary savings proposals have shown us areas where our residents simply don't want to see cuts or a reduction in services."
