Thursday, 17 May 2012

Formby Labour councillors urge residents to have say on future of town's library service


Peter Maguire, Nina Killen and Catie PageFormby's three Labour councillors are urging residents to have their say on the future of the town's library.
 
Cllr Catie Page, together with new Ravenmeols Labour Councillor Peter Maguire and new Harington Ward Labour Councillor Nina Killen, are calling on people to have their say on the library service.
 
Sefton is conducting a review of its services throughout the borough, including in Formby.
 
Cllr Catie Page said: "Sefton Council is seeking information about how people here use the library service. Once they have compiled those views, they will then formulate recommendations on options for the future of the service.
 
"Because our library is so well used, it is crucial that people here have their say and make sure that the views of Formby residents are heard.
 
"Between 2010-11 Formby Library had 119,143 visits. For a small library like ours, that is a lot and it shows just how well used our service is.
 
"This is in no small way down to the ideal location of the library, just outside the Village, near to the train station and on main bus routes. It is an ideal service for the town.
 
"We want people here to make sure they have their say so the council can make an informed decision when drawing up the its proposals for the future of the library."
 
This first stage of the consultation will be for 12 weeks and will close on July 31. Residents' views and the information provided will be used as part of a report for future options for the service which will be used for further consultation later in the year.
 
Cllr Nina Killen said Sefton's controlling Labour Group was determined to ensure that residents were integral to the decision making process in the borough.
 
Cllr Killen said: "Because of the Tory-Lib Dem government's cuts to Sefton's budget, which has already seen us have to cut more than £80m from council spending, there is obviously less money to spend.
 
"We have to make sure we spend what money is left wisely.
 
"We need to ensure that we are providing the services that residents most want and need and part of that process is ensuring that residents' views are taken into account.
 
"That's why it is crucial that people have their say and get involved in the consultation."
 
Cllr Peter Maguire said the library service in Formby is widely used.
 
Cllr Maguire said: "I know from personal experience that Formby Library is well used and very popular. I have used the library since I was a child and still use it today, and I know just how busy it can be.
 
"The figures for the number of visits for last year and the number of books issued show that.
 
"I would urge people to take the time to fill in the consultation document and send it back so that the views of Formby are heard."
 
 
The consultation closes on July 31.
 
 
 
 
Issues 2010/11                                          Visits 2010/11

Ainsdale
90,807

Ainsdale
64,131
 Aintree
40,695

Aintree
31,977
Birkdale
162,636

Birkdale
87,282
Bootle
69,132

Bootle
104,533
Churchtown
122,043

Churchtown
59,472
College Road
83,521

College Road
92,522
Crosby
207,396

Crosby
142,094
Formby
190,336

Formby
119,143
Litherland
49,208

Litherland
42,444
Meadows
151,989

Meadows
274,252
Mobile
4,946

Mobile
Not recorded
Netherton
35,428

Netherton
42,937
Orrell
46,666

Orrell
32,256
Southport
118,460

Southport
117,109
Total
1,373,263

Total
1,210,152

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