AN ENGAGEMENT took place at Manningham Library on Saturday, 7 December, where there were discussions on how proposed cuts might affect the library and its local area.

The library welcomed two Bradford Council members, who engaged with the community as part of the Council's 'engagement exercise', where the public can have their say on the library service before a decision on its future is made in the new year.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Bradford Council had plans to cut the budget for the district’s libraries, which is currently over £2.8 million, by £1.05 million in the 2020/21 financial year, due to Council funding being reduced due to austerity.

In a September Council meeting, discussions were made on how to keep libraries open, albeit with reduced opening hours or with libraries being staffed by volunteers. At that meeting, Jacqui Buckley, Change Assurance Lead at Bradford Council, said, "The Council's commitment is still to retain all 29 libraries and we're trying to make that happen. We are looking at more innovative solutions than closures.We may see reduced opening times - there are a range of options, but we need to make sure the public are informed."

An engagement survey, which closes on 20 December, can be found online at www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations/libraries-service-engagement/.

Manningham Library, first opened in 1910, is described as a “vital lifeline” by Bradford poet Sheena Hussain. She attended the engagement and said, “It was wonderful to see people come out in their hundreds to have an engagement with members from Bradford Council and be able to share their sentiments about any proposed changes.

She said Manningham is a socio-economically deprived area and, as a result, says proposed cuts will hit Manningham harder than other, perhaps more affluent areas. Cuts to local services can leave already disadvantaged communities frustrated, with Sheena citing the 2011 closure of the 107-year-old Manningham Baths, described as a “crime” by the Victorian Society, as a “prime example” of this.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Bradford Council is committed to making sure that people across the district can access a modern, sustainable and good quality library network. We understand the importance of libraries as places for learning, leisure and a focal point for information exchange and interaction.

“Engagement relating to savings for 2020/21 is already underway and so far we have received a significant response from stakeholders. Engagement will close this Friday 20 December, so residents who have not yet completed the survey still have time to do so. Following this engagement exercise, we will review the data collected and will use this to develop detailed proposals which will be published for all stakeholders to access. We will then undertake consultation of these proposals with staff, residents, and wider stakeholders early in 2020."

Manningham ward Councillor Sarfraz Nazir was at the engagement and said, "Manningham Library is the heart of the community. It plays an important role in cohesion and improving education standards in the area. I’ve known people who can’t afford to get the bus to town and use the libraries there, so it's important that we keep this service. Over 200 people attended the engagement and it shows the passion of the community. It was heartening to see people care."

“These proposed cuts are a result of austerity. The Council's funding has been cut by half since 2010, which has a knock-on effect on local services. I think it is a testament to the Council that they are trying their best despite funding being cut."