Library closures and reductions in opening hours across Somerset have ignited tensions, with some councillors warning that these cuts are “pitting one community against the other.” This week, North Somerset Council voted to close Worle and Winscombe Libraries while keeping Pill Library open, following a public consultation aimed at reducing library funding by 20%.
Jenna Ho Marris, Pill’s local Green Party councillor and cabinet member for homes and health, welcomed the decision to keep Pill Library operational but criticised the consultation’s approach, stating, “We can’t always be pitting one community against the other.” To accommodate savings while maintaining Pill’s service, the Bournville library, located in one of the district’s most deprived areas, will reduce hours by closing on Mondays.
Labour councillor Helen Thornton highlighted concerns over the unequal distribution of cuts. She said, “These reductions in hours do not seem to be fairly distributed across North Somerset. The equalities impact assessment makes clear that, yet again, it will be our poorest and most vulnerable residents who will be impacted.” Ian Parker, representing Bournville, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the vital role library staff play in managing safety and supporting vulnerable youth in the community.
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Despite the hardships, Bridget Petty, a Green Party councillor from Backwell, supported prioritizing Pill Library. She stated, “If other libraries need to take a reduction in hours to enable us to keep Pill open, then I think that is worth doing.” Ho Marris added that Pill’s service remains limited, open only two and a half days per week, with plans for further reductions.
Additional cuts will affect Weston-super-Mare’s main library, North Somerset Studies Library, and other branches across Nailsea, Clevedon, Yatton, and Portishead. The council intends to increase self-service options, but concerns persist about reduced access to staff assistance. The council’s budget constraints, largely due to government funding cuts, forced these difficult choices, according to cabinet member Mike Solomon.
Worle Library’s closure on September 7 follows the council’s inability to fund £1.4 million in necessary building repairs. The council plans to establish alternative library provisions in Worle through outreach or community-led models in collaboration with local partners.
Local author Nick Smart, who credits his self-education to Worle Library, addressed the council, underscoring the importance of libraries for social mobility. Winscombe Library will remain open until March 2027 while the council explores community management options, similar to Congresbury Library, which has been community-run since 2017.
Solomon acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions but emphasized the council’s commitment to maintaining accessible, fair, and future-proof library services through partnerships with communities and local organizations.
Nevertheless, further cuts loom. The council recently approved a 2026/27 budget that includes an 8.99% council tax increase alongside an additional £50,000 library budget reduction. A council spokesperson assured that any future savings will consider community needs and include equalities impact assessments to minimize harm to vulnerable groups.