CAMPAIGNERS are fighting proposals by Herefordshire County Council to close Ross-on-Wye public library, in the councils latest round of planned austerity measures.

The council, which is facing a huge deficit, is having to consider cutting many public services in order to balance their books. A reported budget deficit means it will have to save £42 million every year for the next four years. They have launched a public consultation on their proposals, but this, too, has sparked controversy as those trying to fill it in are forced to choose which public services they would agree to see cut or closed.

Ross Town Councillor, Jo Jennings set out the campaigners position in an introduction to an e-petition that has been set up to gather support, and to highlight the council proposals.

Cllr Jennings wrote: “I understand, as a town councillor with immensely limited powers, that there are possible plans from the powers that be to close our library. Our library is a jewel in our crown. It contains not only books and DVDs, but it contains computer services in order for jobs to be applied for and families to be written to. It contains our council services. It contains our Job Centre.

“It also constitutes a place where folk - young, old, rich, poor, black, white, yellow or green - can just “go to” it order to limit the psychological, social and economic consequences of disenfranchisement.

“I personally made many friends there in my day of need. I have not forgotten them. I remember with immense fondness a wonderful lady called Caroline Bennett - my now Lib Dem council colleague – giving me a bit of extra time on the computer when I had to fill in forms in order to find work. I also remember that, being a disabled Mum who could not drive, I relied on the library to keep my then baby intellectually-stimulated.

“Let us, please, keep this space alive. Its heart beats at the very centre of our town.”

But the nature of the consultation questionnaire has left Cllr Jennings angered over what she sees as poor choices that the council are offering in selecting which services will face cuts or closure.

She wrote: “I appreciate that we have all been invited to respond to a questionnaire. I have, like other councillors, invited citizens to fill it in. I do, however, feel that Question 1 - Do I, in essence, prefer to either “enable residents to live safe, healthy and independent lives” or “keep children and young people safe and give them a great start in life” or, furthermore, “support the growth of our economy and the number of people at work” - constitutes somewhat of an insult to both my intelligence and humanity.

“Ever been given a choice between shooting your old mum, the nana who took you to the beach when you were a kid, or your auntie Bertha who knitted jumpers for Christmas?

“I still hope that folks such as my father-in-law (eighty-something), who was very confused by the wording of this consultation, probably because he’s clever, will not only fill in the form but also, as a backup, sign this petition.”

She added: “Once and for all, hands off.”

More details of the campaign can be found at the Ross Library Development Group website, or via their Facebook page.

The petition to specifically save Ross-on-Wye Library has been posted at www.Change.org, and in its first week of existence has gathered 200 signatures.

The county-wide petition is at you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-herefordshire-libraries.

To take part in the Herefordshire County Council budget consultation go to www.herefordshire.gov.uk/government-citizens-and-rights/democracy/ council-finances/priorities-and-budget-consultation-2016-to-2020. The consultation was launched in July and runs until October 9. The results will be disclosed in November.

There is to be a public meeting about the prosposed budget cuts, which wil take place at Ross-on-Wye Market Hall, on September 24, between 10am - 2pm.