Two libraries could close under council budget cuts

A town could lose two of its libraries under budget plans being considered by a council.

Slough Borough Council announced on Friday it could close Cippenham and Langley libraries in Slough, Berkshire, next year.

It would mean the number of libraries in the town would be cut in half, with just Britwell library and The Curve left open.

The council said in a statement that keeping all four libraries open was "not affordable".

The announcement comes as the council is working on setting next year's budget.

The local authority previously said it was facing an "unprecedented magnitude" of cuts in an attempt to save more than £28m.

Draft savings plans published last month hinted that library services would face reductions.

The council said making no changes would be "a risk to the council's financial stability".

According to the new plans, the council hopes to save £135,000 by closing the two buildings and another £60,000 by cutting the two vacant staff posts.

Opening hours at the two libraries were reduced in a previous round of cuts between 2023 and 2024.

The council said a review of library services at the time had found them "highly valued".

It now says closing Cippenham Library, on Elmshott Lane, and Langley Library, on Trelawney Avenue, will allow it to "improve" services elsewhere.

Britwell Library could be staffed rather than operating as self-service, it said, and the budget for new books would be shared between two instead of four libraries.

Council leaders are set to discuss the plans on 16 December.

A public consultation will then run between 17 December and 25 February.

Final plans will be voted on by all councillors in spring 2025.

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