Church Stretton residents invited to find out proposals for town’s library and its services

Residents in Church Stretton are invited to come along to a ‘drop in’ event on Thursday 6 November 2014 at the Silvester Horne Institute to find out about the proposals for Shropshire Council services currently housed in the Church Stretton library building.

The event will run from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, and residents are invited to drop in at any time to express their views on the proposals.

This session has been planned following discussions between Shropshire Council, Church Stretton Town Council, South Shropshire Academy (Church Stretton School) and the Mayfair Centre on looking at how library and other face-to-face services can be better delivered to local people in a more sustainable and cost-effective way.

Proposals include moving services, which include the library, visitor information centre and customer service point, to different and more appropriate locations within the town.

For those who can’t make the drop in event, there will be an opportunity to find out about the proposals at the following StrettonDale Local Joint Committee meeting starting at 7pm that evening, also at the Silvester Horne Institute.

Councillor Michael Braid, of Church Stretton Town Council, said:

“The future of library services in the town is vitally important to us all, and I would encourage everyone to go along to the event to see the proposals, and to take the opportunity to help us shape them.”

Steve Lunt, Principal of Church Stretton School, said:

“We are delighted to be involved in the creation of these proposals, as we believe they present a unique opportunity to enhance and improve library provision for  both the community and the school.”

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, said:

“Shropshire Council and our partners in Church Stretton have been working closely to explore opportunities and look at how we can redesign and enhance the existing services in the library building to ensure they meet the needs of the local community.

“We need to make the best use of our funds and resources over the next few years to address a library funding gap of £1.3 million. We believe these proposals offer a sustainable solution to ensure our libraries continue to run and serve the residents of Church Stretton today and in the future.  We really need your views on these proposals, as well as your thoughts and ideas on how you think these services can evolve so they continue to meet your needs.”

Lee Chapman, a local Shropshire Councillor for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, said:

“Please come along on the day and tell us what you think about the different options.”

David Evans, also a local Shropshire Councillor for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, added:

“I would urge members of the public to attend the drop in event regarding the changes to the library service in Church Stretton.  Have your say and be part of the process; please don’t miss out.”

Nicola McPherson, Chief Officer of Mayfair Community Centre, said:

“We are pleased to have worked with others on looking at ways to best support the needs of the community.  We look forward to hearing people’s views.”

For more information about the event please email lee.chapman@shropshire.gov.uk.