This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-31354592
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Birmingham Library opening hours nearly halved | Birmingham Library opening hours nearly halved |
(35 minutes later) | |
The opening hours at Birmingham's new £189m library are to be cut by nearly half to save money, the city council has confirmed. | The opening hours at Birmingham's new £189m library are to be cut by nearly half to save money, the city council has confirmed. |
The authority said the library, which opened in September 2013, would open 40 hours a week - down from 73 hours. | The authority said the library, which opened in September 2013, would open 40 hours a week - down from 73 hours. |
Plans to make redundant 100 of the 188 library staff are still being discussed, but the council expects at least 90 people will lose their jobs. | Plans to make redundant 100 of the 188 library staff are still being discussed, but the council expects at least 90 people will lose their jobs. |
Council tax will also increase by 1.99% across the city in 2015/16. | Council tax will also increase by 1.99% across the city in 2015/16. |
The tax rise was supported by half the 1,108 people who responded to an online survey, the council said. | The tax rise was supported by half the 1,108 people who responded to an online survey, the council said. |
The Labour-led authority said it must cut nearly £113m from its 2015/16 budget. | The Labour-led authority said it must cut nearly £113m from its 2015/16 budget. |
The figure is down by £3.8m from the original plan of cutting £116.7m, which was revealed in a white paper in December. | The figure is down by £3.8m from the original plan of cutting £116.7m, which was revealed in a white paper in December. |
Music charge | Music charge |
The Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square was opened amid huge publicity by Malala Yousafzai. | The Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square was opened amid huge publicity by Malala Yousafzai. |
But Birmingham City Council has been hit by massive financial problems through losing an equal pay claim brought by underpaid female workers. | But Birmingham City Council has been hit by massive financial problems through losing an equal pay claim brought by underpaid female workers. |
As a result the city sold its interest in the NEC group, but cuts elsewhere have continued. | As a result the city sold its interest in the NEC group, but cuts elsewhere have continued. |
The council has not said what hours the library will open once the cuts are imposed, but said it is planning to save jobs in its photographic and archive services. | The council has not said what hours the library will open once the cuts are imposed, but said it is planning to save jobs in its photographic and archive services. |
And a charge for the library's music service will be introduced "to enable specialist staff in this department to be kept", a spokesperson said. | And a charge for the library's music service will be introduced "to enable specialist staff in this department to be kept", a spokesperson said. |
The authority will make £1.3m savings at the library, a reduction from the original plan of cutting £1.5m. | The authority will make £1.3m savings at the library, a reduction from the original plan of cutting £1.5m. |
Council leader Sir Albert Bore has said the cut in government grant meant a 5.7% reduction on spending power for the city, which he said was three times the average of 2% among most councils. | Council leader Sir Albert Bore has said the cut in government grant meant a 5.7% reduction on spending power for the city, which he said was three times the average of 2% among most councils. |
Penny Holbrook, cabinet member for skills, learning and culture, said most consultation responses relating to the library had focussed on the potential loss of its specialist photographic archives. | Penny Holbrook, cabinet member for skills, learning and culture, said most consultation responses relating to the library had focussed on the potential loss of its specialist photographic archives. |
But she added: "Unfortunately, the vast majority of spend we are going to have to cut is on the opening hours." | But she added: "Unfortunately, the vast majority of spend we are going to have to cut is on the opening hours." |
Library of Birmingham cuts | |
Reader reaction | |
Readers of BBC Local Live have written in with comments on the cuts to the library. | |
Bob Adams described the plans as "stupid and short sighted", adding: "At the moment people in Scotland, Australia and other parts of the world think we are stupid to waste such a beautiful and useful resource." | |
Mary McHenry said: "This is so short-sighted. Are our leaders so unimaginative that they cannot find other revenues to finance the library? It is humiliating for the city." | |
Others blamed the cuts on central government policy, including Twitter user "The Wordy Gurdy Man" who responded to BBC WM: "It's appalling but what is the council supposed to do? The Coalition is tearing the heart out of local govt." | |
Meanwhile A.A. Abbott called the library "a tourist attraction [and] icon as well as an amenity. It should keep its hours. The coalition must reverse its cuts." | |
Sir Albert said by 2018 the council would have to make savings of £821m per year from the budget it had in 2010 and had so far achieved £462m of this. | Sir Albert said by 2018 the council would have to make savings of £821m per year from the budget it had in 2010 and had so far achieved £462m of this. |
"The government cuts that are being handed down to us mean we now really have reached the end of local government as we know it," he said. | "The government cuts that are being handed down to us mean we now really have reached the end of local government as we know it," he said. |
"We'll work closely with our communities and partners but things will undoubtedly need to be significantly reshaped in the years ahead." | "We'll work closely with our communities and partners but things will undoubtedly need to be significantly reshaped in the years ahead." |
CCTV reprieve | CCTV reprieve |
Plans to axe financial support for major public events in the city, such as Pride, St Patrick's Day and Vaisakhi, were also confirmed by the council. | Plans to axe financial support for major public events in the city, such as Pride, St Patrick's Day and Vaisakhi, were also confirmed by the council. |
However, a proposal for the city's 250 CCTV cameras to no longer be monitored around the clock were deferred after concerns were expressed West Midlands Police and other groups. | However, a proposal for the city's 250 CCTV cameras to no longer be monitored around the clock were deferred after concerns were expressed West Midlands Police and other groups. |
Councillor Brigid Jones, cabinet member for children and young people, said the authority had not received a response to its request for further government funding to improve its much-criticised social services department. | Councillor Brigid Jones, cabinet member for children and young people, said the authority had not received a response to its request for further government funding to improve its much-criticised social services department. |
In November, she said the council was seeking £123m over the next three years - about £40m per year - to boost its children's services department, but the response "had not been forthcoming". | In November, she said the council was seeking £123m over the next three years - about £40m per year - to boost its children's services department, but the response "had not been forthcoming". |
The council, she said, has found £21.5m of the amount but still needed the extra cash to ensure it could meet increased demand for front-line social services. | The council, she said, has found £21.5m of the amount but still needed the extra cash to ensure it could meet increased demand for front-line social services. |
"We're meeting the cost halfway but we're still asking the government to make the same commitment to our kids," she said. | "We're meeting the cost halfway but we're still asking the government to make the same commitment to our kids," she said. |
Council funding for street wardens and festive lighting will disappear by 2016/17 unless external funding can be found. | Council funding for street wardens and festive lighting will disappear by 2016/17 unless external funding can be found. |
Information and advice services in the city will be axed, with the exception of counselling, domestic violence services, HIV, and drug and alcohol services. | Information and advice services in the city will be axed, with the exception of counselling, domestic violence services, HIV, and drug and alcohol services. |
'Fair share' | 'Fair share' |
Meanwhile, deputy council leader Ian Ward said plans to cut school crossing patrols had been reviewed in response to sizeable opposition. | Meanwhile, deputy council leader Ian Ward said plans to cut school crossing patrols had been reviewed in response to sizeable opposition. |
He said feedback from parents and a campaign co-ordinated by the Birmingham Mail had prompted "serious thought" about the issue from the council, which will now maintain patrols in 190 of the city's busiest locations. | He said feedback from parents and a campaign co-ordinated by the Birmingham Mail had prompted "serious thought" about the issue from the council, which will now maintain patrols in 190 of the city's busiest locations. |
The council also plans to introduce more 20 mph zones, and increase its use of CCTV to enforce parking outside schools. | The council also plans to introduce more 20 mph zones, and increase its use of CCTV to enforce parking outside schools. |
"Enforcing parking outside schools is a key part to keeping children safe," he said. | "Enforcing parking outside schools is a key part to keeping children safe," he said. |
Gill Whittaker, regional organiser of the GMB Union, led the trade unions' campaign to keep school crossing patrols. | Gill Whittaker, regional organiser of the GMB Union, led the trade unions' campaign to keep school crossing patrols. |
"We are delighted the council has listened to pressure from campaign groups," she said. | "We are delighted the council has listened to pressure from campaign groups," she said. |
"We look forward to working with the council over the next 12 months to ensure the service is retained." | "We look forward to working with the council over the next 12 months to ensure the service is retained." |
Ms Whittaker said the government should look again at its council funding formula and if it "gave Birmingham its fair share" such cuts would not be necessary. | Ms Whittaker said the government should look again at its council funding formula and if it "gave Birmingham its fair share" such cuts would not be necessary. |