Library staff freeze will affect users - Lib Dems

7.24.48pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th Dec 2005

A freeze in the recruitment of staff to work in the Borough's libraries will end up affecting library users if it is allowed to carry on, says Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr David McBride.

At present, because of budget constraints, when a vacancy in the library service occurs it is not filled. Currently there are fifteen unfilled vacancies within the service and some of these are at 'front counter' level.

Cllr David McBride said, "It is only a matter of time before this penny pinching recruitment freeze has an effect on members of the public as not all of the unfilled vacancies can be contained in 'back room' office services. When the Leisure Trust was set up I was told that extra money would be put in to libraries. That simply hasn't happened. If anything, because of the budget freeze, there has been yet another cut in library funds."