Like most other councils, Wrexham is under huge financial pressure and it’s getting harder to make ends meet.
We have to do more with less following more than a decade of reduced funding combined with increased costs, inflation, interest rate rises, and more residents needing our support.
So we’re having to rethink the way we do things, and this includes looking at our library service and community resource centres.
Today (Monday November 18) we’ve launched a new consultation.
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Please take part…and help shape the future of local libraries and resource centres.
How many libraries and resource centres do we have?
Wrexham Council manages 10 branch libraries, a homelink library and a pop up library, and five community resource centres.
Our library service provides books, digital resources, study space, and access to groups and social activities for all ages.
Our resource centres provide space for local community groups and activities.
We recognise that both the libraries and centres make an enormous contribution to the wellbeing of those that use them.
Why do we need to change things?
Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones, Lead Member for Corporate Services, explains: “As a council we’re facing a budget gap of around £28 million over the next two years, so we need to re-consider the services we deliver – and how we deliver them – if we’re going to meet this challenge.
“As part of this, we must make a saving of at least £185,000 from our operating budget for libraries and community resource centres.
“We haven’t taken any decisions yet, but we do have a range of options that we want people’s views on.
“We want to know what people expect from their library service and resource centres going forward, and we want to work with organisations and communities who might be interested in helping to run some of these services.
“So please take part in our consultation, and share your thoughts and ideas – we really need your input.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “I’d like to encourage people to take part in this consultation, so please spare some time to share your views and ideas.
“This is just a consultation process and no decisions have been made at this point in time.”
The closing date for the consultation is January 19 (2025).
How can you take part?
As well as taking part online, you can also pick up paper copies from our libraries and resource centres.
