Opportunity to shape the future of the Meres Day Centre and the library in Ellesmere

Shropshire Council is inviting community groups and private sector organisations to come forward to help shape and develop the Meres Day Centre in Ellesmere as a potential community venue, to include Ellesmere Library.

The day centre is a valued resource for older people and people with learning disabilities in Ellesmere and the surrounding area. Recently a community café has been opened to the public, and facilities are available for evening rental.

The library is currently located within a separate property on Victoria Street, which also hosts a small Customer First Point. Apart from traditional book, video and audio loans, the library provides free public access computers and a range of activities including a home library service.

The council would like to utilise the existing day centre facilities to maximise its potential to become a ‘community hub’ for Ellesmere, including the opportunity to provide library services and customer services alongside the provision of the existing day centre.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult services – transformation and safeguarding, said:

“As a result of financial pressures, we, alongside other councils, face lots of challenges over the coming months and years. We particularly feel this in adult services, as our county’s population gets older and the demand for our services increase.

“We have responded to these challenges by successfully redesigning the way we do things in adult services. This has ensured that the county’s most vulnerable people get the help they need sooner, enabling them to be more independent within their own community.

“However, we constantly need to look at the way we do things to ensure that valuable services are delivered in the best and most sustainable way possible. We look forward to hearing your ideas.”

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said:

“Libraries play a big part in the well-being of our communities every day. We are keen to work with local people and organisations to try to find the best solution to meet the needs of that local community, so that their library can continue to flourish.”

Ann Hartley, local Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere Urban, said:

“As the local councillor I have worked hard over the last year to ensure that the outcome will be the best for Ellesmere residents, ensuring a sustainable library service for the future, whilst ensuring the Meres continues to provide a much-needed service for vulnerable adults.”

For further information and how to respond with your ideas, please visit http://shropshire.gov.uk/doing-business-with-shropshire-council/