CAMPAIGNERS bidding to save Cleckheaton library have gathered 3,700 signatures on a petition protesting against its potential closure.

The Grade II-listed building is under threat as Kirklees Council needs to reduce its £5.75 million library services budget by £3.2m by 2018.

Cleckheaton's Liberal Democrat Councillors - Andrew Pinnock, Kath Pinnock, and John Lawson - have presented the 'Hands Off Our Library' petition to the authority, and once verified, the number of signatures will ensure it triggers a full Council debate to discuss the future of the site.

Although no date has been confirmed, the debate is expected to take place early next year.

Cllr Andrew Pinnock said: “The 3,700 people who have signed the “Hands Off Our Library Petition” have helped to send a very clear message to the Council.

"Like us, they want Cleckheaton Library to remain open, and on its current site.

"And rightly so, as it is one of the most highly-used libraries in Kirklees, housed in a beautiful purpose-built building with excellent parking provision, as well as being situated on local bus routes.

"In addition to the excellent library and IT services it provides, the building is also used by many local groups and organisations, such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

"It’s not just a library, and that’s a very important point for us to get across to the Council."

To help safeguard the future of the library, a 'Friends of' group has also been established, and members are starting to meet regularly to co-ordinate the campaign.

In July, Kirklees Council's Policy Committee announced that due to budget cuts it was likely it could only continue to provide full library services in Dewsbury and Huddersfield, meaning the remaining 24 libraries across the district - including Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Birstall - faced the threat of closure.

More than 1,600 people had their say in initial public consultations on the tough financial decisions facing the Council, which despite cutting £83m in the past three years, needs to save another £69m by 2018.

A specific consultation looking more closely at library services is set to open early in the new year.

Dave Thompson, head of customer services at Kirklees Council, said: “Libraries will undergo a separate consultation which will ask more specific and in-depth questions about the library service and gather the views of library users and other Kirklees residents.

"It will enable us to build on the responses we received from the previous survey."

All budget proposals are available to view at kirklees.gov.uk/budget 2015, with hard copies also available at libraries and information points.

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