Southampton City Council is appealing for “community, voluntary, not-for-profit and faith organisations to come forward to run one of the Cobbett Road, Burgess Road, Thornhill, Weston and Millbrook libraries”.

 

The council withdrew funding for the libraries from April 2016 at a council meeting on September 15 [you can listen to the decision being made here – approx 9 mins].

In a letter sent out to subscribers of its library e-newsletter service on September 21, the council says British Gas is offering £25,000 towards a community organisation's costs of running three libraries.

The cost to run Cobbett Road Library is thought to be about £52,000 a year.

“As from today [September 21], interested organisations can send for an information pack and have until 19 October 2015 to formally express their initial interest. The email address to contact for information packs or any questions is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.” says the bulletin.

Rachel Hickman, secretary of the Friends of Cobbett Road Library group, said: “The Friends of Cobbett Road Library will not be putting in a bid to run the library, but we will be looking at all options available to us to provide the best future for Cobbett Road Library (and other libraries) one of which includes liaising with any groups which come forward offering to run Cobbett Road Library.”

Previously Labour councillors have alluded to parties they say have already expressed an interest in running the library branches that have had their funding cut.

Previously: Audio: Cobbett & five other Southampton libraries to close unless groups offer to run them