Councillors from the group Independents for B&NES are calling on Bath & North East Somerset Council to do more to support and financially aid the Local Authority’s 11 community libraries.
The 11 community spaces, all located around the district, provide vital lifelines to many people who live in rural and isolated communities. They do so without any financial support from the council’s library budget and are entirely run by volunteers.
At November’s B&NES Full Council meeting at the Guildhall, the Independents for B&NES group of councillors will call for each library to be allocated a £6,000 annual grant.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown), is the group’s leader. She said:
“There are 11 community libraries around the district providing vital support to people living in some of our most rural areas. The council provides no financial support to any of them yet still expects them to provide a front-facing service on behalf of the Local Authority.
Modest, ongoing investment from the council can safeguard these libraries’ future, protect volunteer efforts, and ensure equal access to library services across the district.
Libraries provide free access to thousands of books and other information resources. Not only is reading enjoyable, but it’s also good for our mental health too. It reduces stress, is therapeutic and keeps our brains active.”
In total, over 5,000 residents use the 11 community libraries each month, which are located in:
· Chew Valley
· Combe Hay
· Larkhall
· Weston
· Moorland Road, Bath
· Radstock
· Saltford
· Twerton
· Timsbury
· Peasedown St John
· Paulton
Cllr Chris Warren (Independent, Saltford) added:
“The staff and volunteers who run our community library in Saltford are tremendous. They provide a first-class service for the village which is hugely appreciated.
Many residents tell me, often, how they rely on our library for support, help and access to local information.
With 3,000 books in stock and more than 60 volunteers helping to keep the doors open, financial support from B&NES would be welcomed to ensure the library can continue operating long into the future.”
At B&NES’ Full Council meeting on 20th November, the Independents for B&NES group will also call on the Council’s Leadership to:
· Recognise community libraries as a valued and integral part of the Bath & North East Somerset library network.
· Commit to exploring options for future dedicated financial support, such as a Community Library Sustainability Fund.
· Bring forward proposals in the 2026/27 budget for sustainable financial support to the network of 11 community libraries.
· Ask officers to work with community library groups to identify additional external funding sources and provide coordination and support to maximise the opportunities.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) added:
“I’m concerned that if many of these libraries don’t receive financial support from the council, some may have to close their doors over the next couple of years.
Community libraries are a vital part of the universal library service in B&NES and should be supported as partners, not left at risk of closure due to unstable funding.
Providing a putative £6,000 to each of the 11 community libraries (a total of £66,000) would represent a small cost when contrasted with the £2.885 million Customer Services (including central libraries) budget but would deliver significant value in protecting and sustaining local services.”
