New bid to save Church Stretton Library - following public demand

Campaigns to prevent Church Stretton Library being moved to the town's secondary school and cutting the budget at Ludlow Museum Resource Centre have each attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

Both petitions have been handed in to officials at Shirehall – forcing councillors to discuss each case at a full council meeting according the authority's own guidelines.

It comes after Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's portfolio holder for business, culture and commissioning, conceded the plans to move the library could result in job losses.

Councillor Charmley described the planned discussions – which will be held at next week's full council meeting – as "democracy in action".

He will hear representations from campaigners on both issues and views of councillors before making a decision on both.

Church Stretton Library Support Group, which is fighting proposals for the library to move out of its town centre building in Church Street to be run at Church Stretton School in Shrewsbury Road in a bid to save the authority £55,000 running costs, handed over a 1,100-signature petition on Monday.

Meanwhile, a 1,000-signature petition raised by supporters of Ludlow Museum Resource Centre was handed over at the end of last week, against plans to axe three expert staff who look after world-renowned collections at the centre and replace them with a single part-time curator post based in Shrewsbury.

Councillor Charmley said it was no coincidence both issues had come up at the same time. "There are a lot of changes going on with the budget cuts we have to make," he said. "I understand change is never popular and is a concern for lots of people so this is completely fair and an example of democracy in action."

Felicity Thomas, spokeswoman for Church Stretton Library Support Group, said: "The message to Shropshire Council is clear, simple and overwhelmingly supported by Church Stretton residents – 'keep our library where it is'."

The meeting on February 26 will be held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury at 10am.