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The decision marks the end of a comprehensive review shaped in partnerships with our communities, informed by last year’s 12‑week public consultation, which gathered 4,945 responses and rich feedback through engagement events across the area. Throughout this process, the council has emphasised a collaborative, supportive approach – working closely with residents, stakeholders, parish councils and ward members to understand what matters most locally and how library needs can continue to be met.
Working in partnership in this way means we can keep services accessible - through a blend of staffed sessions, self‑service access and outreach - while living within our budget.
The agreed approach will deliver £433,000 of savings which were required through the council’s Medium‑Term Financial Plan (budget) for 2026-28, while ensuring the council continues to meet its statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service.
The decision follows extensive engagement, a detailed analysis of consultation findings, equality impacts, community needs, and an assessment of the wider financial pressures facing the council.
Years of reduced government funding and rising costs in essential services - particularly adult and children’s social care - have significantly constrained the council’s budget, making these changes unavoidable. Despite this, the council remains committed to working with communities and partners to ensure residents continue to have fair and meaningful access to library services.
What Full Council has approved
After evaluating all options, councillors have agreed to adopt Option B from the consultation. This option received the highest level of public support and was assessed as having fewer equalities impacts before mitigation. The approach reflects the council’s commitment to working collaboratively with communities, parish councils, ward members and partners to shape sustainable, locally‑supported services.
Key elements of the approved plan are:
Winscombe Library
North Somerset Council will work closely with Winscombe Ward Councillors and Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council to explore every possible option to keep the library open in Winscombe. This may include parish‑funded support enabling the council to continue running the library, or the development of a community‑managed model delivered by volunteers.
If a viable proposal is not agreed by the set deadline, Winscombe Library will close at the end of March 2027, with statutory library provision delivered through tailored outreach services shapes with the community.
Worle Library and Children’s Centre
Due to the significant costs required to maintain and repair the current building, Worle Library will close by 7 September 2026.
The council is committed to establishing and sustaining alternative library provision in Worle, working closely with local residents, community groups and Weston‑super‑Mare Town Council. This alternative offer will be delivered through outreach services and/or a community‑led library model, designed with the community to ensure it meets local needs and maintains access to core library services.
Further engagement is also planned for Worle Children’s Centre staff and users to determine next steps for children’s services based as the site.
Pill Library
Pill Library will be retained as part of the council’s statutory network. Ongoing conversations with local community groups and representatives will continue, focusing on ways to support and strengthen the service.
Changes to opening hours
While staffed hours will reduce, our libraries will continue to be open and welcoming - with staff available at key times to support customers who value face‑to‑face help. We’ll also make greater use of self‑service technology to keep buildings accessible for longer and at times that better match local demand, helping us retain much of the physical network while operating more efficiently. This approach is part of a modern, mixed model that combines staffed sessions, self‑service access and targeted outreach.
From September 2026, staffed opening hours will be reduced across council‑run libraries, including:
- FAHLC Library – closing one day per week and lunchtimes (11.5 hours per week)
- North Somerset Studies Library – reducing by 2.5 days per week
- Weston‑super‑Mare Library – reducing by 8.5 staffed hours per week
- Minor reductions at Nailsea, Clevedon, Yatton, Portishead and Pill
- Campus Library - reduction in staffed opening hours and potential introduction of self-service opening hours.
These changes have been shaped by usage data, equality considerations and resident feedback.
Budget and income measures
Savings will also be achieved through reductions to staffing and management budgets, book and e‑resource spend, systems costs, alongside increased income from a range of measures, including encouraging donations, commercial activity and partnerships.
Together, these changes should ensure delivery of the full £433,000 savings target is met for 2026/28 while continuing to deliver a modern, accessible and community-supported library service.
Working with communities, protecting the future
Cllr Mike Solomon, Cabinet Member for Culture, Community Services and Safety at North Somerset Council said: “This has not been an easy conversation for councillors, staff or for our communities. We fully recognise how difficult and unsettling these proposals may feel, but our financial situation means that tough conversations - and ultimately tough decisions - must be faced.
“We have listened carefully to what people told us during the consultation. It is clear how much our libraries are valued, and communities have asked us to find creative, inclusive and future‑focused ways to keep services accessible. This feedback has shaped the recommendations approved at Full Council.”
“We remain committed to ensuring that our future library service is fair, accessible and future‑proof, while continuing to meet our statutory duty to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service. Working together with community groups, parish councils and local partners, will do everything we can to ensure our libraries remain vibrant, welcoming and responsive - now and into the years ahead.”
What happens next
Implementation will take place in phases:
- March 2026 – library staff consultation begins
- April 2026 - reductions in book and eBook and miscellaneous budgets made
- 7 September 2026:
- Closure of Worle Library
- New opening hours introduced across council‑run libraries
- New outreach services launched where required
- By March 2027 - final decision on Winscombe Library’s future based on the viability of a community‑led model
- April 2027 - remaining budget reductions implemented.
Residents, staff, partners and community groups will continue to be updated as work progresses.