8:45am Thursday 22nd July 2010
By Chris Harris
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to axe 58 jobs from Hampshire libraries has been rubber-stamped by civic bosses.
Unions have slammed yesterday’s “bitterly disappointing” decision, saying it would lead to libraries closing down.
Yet Hampshire County Council insists it is necessary, saying it will save £1.5m and make the service sustainable. The authority says short-term fixes – such as raiding the book-buying budget of £1.73m over the last five years – are no longer practical.
The cuts will see a swathe of supervisor and library officer posts made redundant, saving £840,000. A further £300,000 will be saved through axing four management posts.
Unions fear there will be further pain when the council reviews its mobile library service in November and considers opportunities for sharing services next spring.
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