Residents are to be consulted on the future of Tameside’s libraries in a shake-up which is likely to see some branches close.

The borough currently has 13 libraries costing £3.5m per year to run, around 75 per cent of which is spent on staff.

Council chiefs have so far shaved around £200,000 off the budget through voluntary redundancy – but say government cuts mean they need to save at least £900,000.

The recommendations were outlined in a report put before the council’s executive cabinet on Tuesday.

No decisions have been made but it is likely that major libraries such as Ashton and Stalybridge will stay, as well as the home library service and branches in places like Hattersley where rates of unemployment and long-term disability are high. Libraries like Dukinfield – where people are thought to be more likely to use another branch – could be forced to shut their doors.

Other ideas include inviting community groups to run libraries, moving the services out of current buildings and reducing opening hours.

The report states: "Earlier this year the council undertook a voluntary severance exercise and the library service took the opportunity to reduce staffing as much as reasonably possible.

"We are now reaching the limits of what further efficiencies can be achieved, without a reduction in the overall portfolio.

"It is proposed that the consultation should be fully transparent regarding the pressures facing the council due to reduced government funding and that this is likely to result in fewer libraries in the future.

"It is likely to be necessary to decrease staffing further in future years and every opportunity will be taken to achieve this through the natural turnover of staff."

The public consultation will start next Thursday (November 17) and run until mid-February with questionnaires available at any library, customer service point or online on the council’s website - www.tameside.gov.uk.

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