Bream library plans closer to fruition
VOLUNTEERS are close to saving their library which fell victim to cuts.
Bream library is being bought by West Dean Parish Council for £20,000, so volunteers can run it.
It was facing closure because Gloucestershire County Council included it in its plan to meet a £114million in savings by 2014.
But after the community rallied round, the library will stay open. Gloucestershire County Council will give the new Bream Community Library Ltd £10,000 a year to help run it.
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Parish council clerk Dave Kent said the long term plan is to move the library to another part of the West Dean Centre but for now it will stay where it is.
"Money will need to be spent on the fabric of the building, which has been allowed to deteriorate," he said.
"Part of the old school which the parish council is in, dates back to 1862.
"What we hope to do is juggle around the accommodation in the centre."
The centre is also used for worship by the Methodist community.
Faced with a massive savings target set by the Coalition Government, the Conservative-run county council caused concern at plans to shut or restrict hours at some libraries. A protester, backed by Campaign group Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries, mounted a successful legal case against the council, forcing it to reconsider.
Council leader Mark Hawthorne said: "We're really pleased that Bream Community Library Limited will run the Community Library in Bream, from the end of this year.
"We are working with the group and providing training for volunteers to make sure that there is a smooth transition. The library building will be sold to the parish council and an annual grant of £10,000 will be provided to Bream Community Library.
"We'd like to thank all the individuals who are involved in creating what we believe will be a really successful library service – delivered by the local community for the benefit of the local community."
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