Council saves libraries from closure amid cuts

Plans to slash funding for museums, libraries and lollipop patrols appear have been dropped by Bristol City Council, a senior council member says.

The authority had published a raft of cost-cutting measures as it looked to claw back a deficit of more than £350m.

The measures were criticised by the opposition Labour group, which said the budget "would make Margaret Thatcher blush".

An updated set of budget proposals has now removed many of the cuts, according to deputy leader of the council, the Green Party's Heather Mack.

Ms Mack said libraries would continue to receive the same funding this year.

"We have listened to the public and prioritised saving certain services," Ms Mack told BBC Points West.

With a £52m black hole in funding needing to be filled, council officers had put forward a wide-ranging list of savings options for consideration by councillors.

The council had discussed options ranging from doing nothing and keeping all libraries open to reducing the service's budget to help contribute to an overall £40m in savings.

Some of Bristol's 27 libraries would have had to permanently close if the plans had gone through.

The draft budget will be presented at Strategy and Resources Committee on 3 February to seek the committee's approval to submit it as the budget recommendation to a full council meeting on 25 February.

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