Have your say
Proposed Changes to the Library Service 2025-26
Background
Last summer, we ran a Library Needs Assessment (LNA) to ask the public about their needs and explore some ideas to reduce running costs. This was done in response to Pembrokeshire County Council’s funding gap, which in early January 2025 stood at £27.4 million for the 2025-26 financial year, necessitating cost reductions and increased income to maintain service levels.
Feedback on the six suggestions put forward as part of the LNA was clear. Respondents were not supportive of:
- Closing libraries
- Replacing staff with 24/7 access technology
- Reductions to the Book Fund
More support was given for:
- Working with volunteers
- Reducing premises costs by co-locating services in libraries or downsizing them
- Reducing opening hours.
The findings of the LNA were noted by Cabinet at its meeting of 2 December 2024.
The Library Service, along with other services has been asked to put forward proposals to reduce costs and/or increase income. We have been asked to model 10%, 20%, 30% and 60% budget savings options for 2025/26. These options were included in an appendix to a Cabinet budget paper, also on 2 December 2024.
While all 4 options remain possible, the council is seeking to minimise negative impacts on local communities and in particular wishes to avoid, where possible, implementing any proposals which have been identified as ‘deep red’, meaning those interventions that are considered to have the biggest negative impact. The 30% and 60% library budget reductions fall within the deep red category, while the 20% option is categorised red and the 10% option amber.
The Council will set its budget on 20th February 2025, and it will be clearer after that meeting what level of savings are required for the library service. However, we cannot wait until then to start our consultation with you because doing so would delay any implementation and therefore reduce the amount of savings that can be achieved for the 25/26 financial year.
We are therefore currently working on the basis of considering the 20% reduction option and wish to consult you on the elements of this reduction that would have direct impact on library users. If the reduction percentage changes up or down from 20%, we will issue a fresh consultation in relation to any additional or different proposals for change to ensure that we can get your feedback before making any decisions.
About the consultation
The Library Service therefore invite you to take part in this online survey which aims to gather feedback regarding proposed changes at 3 libraries: Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
For each, we have considered the findings of the Library Needs Assessment when putting forward proposals.
- Milford Haven Library: the proposal is either to relocate the library to a smaller/cheaper premises or establish a Community Managed Partnership at the current library.
- Pembroke Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by 8 hours per week.
- Pembroke Dock Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by 7 hours per week.
Milford Haven Library: additional information is given to outline how the option to establish a Community Managed Partnership, would work in practise. A Public Meeting is also being held on Monday 3rd February 2025, starting at 6.30pm to discuss this option further. All are welcome to attend.
Your Views
Whilst the County Council encourages consultation responses to be made via our online consultation system, paper copies of the consultations are available at each of the 3 libraries directly affected. The printed version and paper surveys will remain in place until 5pm, on 17th February 2025, when the consultations will close. All responses will then be analysed.
Any resulting decisions will be made by Cabinet, who will consider both the findings of this consultation, and the Library Needs Assessment.
To take part in the consultations, please follow the appropriate link(s) below, which will take you to the actual survey(s). We know that customers often use more than one library, so please feel free to take part in 1, 2 or all 3 surveys if you wish to.
This online survey will close at 5pm, on Monday 17th February 2025.
Thank you for your time.
Privacy Notice: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/privacy-promise/privacy-notice-and-microsoft-forms