CLOSING a library is part of a huge package of budget cuts due to be discussed by Southampton’s Tory council chiefs tonight.

Savings worth £8.1m, including slashing 120 jobs, is expected to be backed by the city’s ruling Cabinet.

But opposition Liberal Democrats are calling on the Conservatives to rethink a plan to shut the popular library in Cumbrian Way, Millbrook.

Opening hours have already been cut back to two-and-a-half hours each day and the council is now banking on saving up to £25,000 a year by permanently shutting the doors.

David Callaghan, prospective Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Southampton Test, said: “We are fighting the closure of this well-used library by a Conservative council which says it needs to save money but can afford to splash out £85,000 on a spin doctor.”

Millbrook ward councillor Ceren Davis added: “We need this library. How many elderly people or mums pushing prams with little kids will be able to get to the library in Shirley?”

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At other libraries Tories want to replace librarians with volunteers, hike charges for renting DVDs and introduce vending machines to bring in more cash.

Cabinet member for finance Jeremy Moulton said the council had faced huge challenges due to the recession.

Falling income, largely from parking and planning applications, has left the council £2.2m short.

Council chiefs are also having to spend an extra £1.5m hiring more social workers following a surge in demand.

Cllr Moulton added: “National grants have dried up and I have always argued that the council does not receive a fair amount of cash from Government.

“That is why we have set a budget that will make the council leaner and meaner and more efficient than ever. We are not afraid to cut our cloth accordingly to focus on providing good quality core services.

This will be our approach for the next year.

“People tell us they want improved roads, better care, more investment in schools and more bang for their buck – those are the things that this budget will help to deliver.”

The resulting £183m spending plan will deliver the lowest council tax rise in the history of the authority – 2.5 per cent.

Residents would be charged an extra £30 a year in council tax for an average Band D home, taking the bill to £1,239, excluding police and fire charges.

A controversial ten per cent council tax discount for pensioner households, worth around £1m, will continue while special constables could also be in line for a full discount.