Image
The consultation, which ran from 31 July to 24 October 2025, invited residents, stakeholders and partners to comment on three distinct options for the future of library services to ensure library services remain fair, accessible, and sustainable.
The options – designed to achieve £433,000 in savings – included transferring up to three libraries to community management or closure (Worle, Winscombe and Pill), adjusting staffed opening hours, expanding outreach services, reducing central costs (such as the book budget), and exploring new income sources.
Close to 5,000 responses were submitted to the consultation including those received through a children’s survey, and each has been read, considered and will help to shape the final report recommendations that will go to Cabinet and Full Council on 24 February.
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 communities, but our financial situation means difficult conversations and decisions need to be made.
“We have heard clearly how much our libraries mean to communities – and that people want us to find creative, inclusive and future-focused solutions. This feedback will help shape our recommended next steps.
“We know that our future library service needs to be fair, accessible and future proof whilst continuing to fulfil our statutory duty of providing a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service. Together with community groups, we will ensure our libraries remain vibrant, welcoming, and responsive – now and into the years ahead.”
A full report, final recommendations and updated Equality Impact Assessment findings, will be presented to Cabinet and Full Council in February for formal decisions by elected members.
Following this, the library service will work collaboratively with the library teams, community groups, partners and library stakeholders to co-design implementation plans.
Residents and local groups interested in community-managed library options or outreach initiatives are still invited to get in touch at libraries.review@n-somerset.gov.uk.
For full consultation findings, next-phase proposals, and supporting documentation, please visit: Libraries consultation - North Somerset Council Consultations.