A former leader of North Somerset Council has thrown his support behind a community campaign to prevent the closure of Pill Library and Children’s Centre—one of three libraries facing shutdown as part of the council’s plan to cut library spending by 20%.
Thirty residents have formed the Friends of Pill Library group to advocate for keeping the library open as a council-run facility. Alison Gittoes, chair of the group, explained the library’s importance: “Our library is much more than a place to borrow books. It hosts children’s events almost daily, is popular among older residents, and offers a safe, warm space. Closing it would save very little money but would be a huge loss to our village and nearby communities.”
The group has established a small charity structure with five trustees and secured up to £500 in funding to support library programs, events, and publicity. Don Davies, who represented Pill for 12 years on North Somerset Council and served three years as council leader, acts as the group’s treasurer and media manager. Reflecting on reengaging with local politics, Davies commented, “It just makes me annoyed.”
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Davies pointed out that complaints of low library use stem from limited opening hours that don’t align with school or work schedules: “The library is right in the heart of one of the poorest parts of North Somerset’s parliamentary constituency.” Currently, Pill Library operates only 16.5 hours weekly, spread across Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
The council projects that closing the library would save £28,200 annually. Overall, North Somerset Council plans a £433,000 reduction in its library budget, also proposing to close Worle Library and Children’s Centre and Winscombe Library while reducing hours at other locations.
Council officials have suggested that if the council trims an additional £10,000 from new book purchases and ceases Monday openings at Bournville’s Health Living Centre library, one library in either Pill or Winscombe could remain open. Public consultation on these proposals is open until 12pm on Friday, 24 October.
Friends of Pill Library emphasize the library’s vital community role and urge support for “option B” in the consultation, which would keep the library council-run. While the council notes that some libraries could continue under parish or town council management—as has been the case for Congresbury Library since 2017—the Friends group insists Pill Library should remain under council authority.
The group stressed, “Given that Pill is the most deprived area in the constituency, and with current government focus on literacy and child support, closure would be a disproportionate and damaging loss for a very small financial saving. Friends of Pill Library are dedicated to working with North Somerset Council to preserve a council-run library and enhance its family and community services.”
Mike Solomon, the council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure, and open spaces, encouraged residents to participate in the consultation: “Libraries lie at the heart of communities—places where people gather, learn, and access vital resources. Library use has changed, so it’s critical to hear from residents to ensure our services remain accessible, welcoming, and sustainable. Every response makes a difference.”
Davies acknowledged the council’s financial challenges but cautioned that central government must address the rising costs of social care and educational needs: “Until central government steps up, local government will continue to face heavy burdens on council taxpayers. As council leader, I didn’t see where further cuts could come from.”