FOREST libraries look likely to be the main focus of Gloucestershire County Council's crisis budgeting – while all eyes are on what the Forest District Council will be doing to turn around its balances.

The County Council says it plans to reduce its workforce by a massive 1,000 in four years to help towards savings of £108 million, with library and youth services taking a big hit.

Under the proposals Cinderford, Mitcheldean, Bream and Newnham libraries are to be offered to local communities at a peppercorn rent and with a start-up package but they will only survive if they can stand on their own two feet financially. They won't have access to the county's catalogue of books unless they purchase special status.

The two main remaining libraries in Newent and Coleford will be open from 10am-6pm on weekdays and from 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Lydney's library will open on three weekdays plus half a day on Saturday.

Communities as well as library staff are outraged by the proposals, with one library representative telling the Review: "I do not believe this constitutes a comprehensive library service for the Forest as required by law.

"Since the County Council itself acknowledges Cinderford as an area of multiple deprivation, I do not believe the council is protecting vulnerable people by cutting this library, despite claims to the contrary.

"From experience of working here over nine years, I do not feel Cinderford is the sort of community where 'running it themselves' will happen.

"For Mitcheldean, customers without cars will only have the option of going to Gloucester – there are no bus services to Newent or Lydney. Ironically, there are plenty to Cinderford."

A protest about the cuts took place at Cinderford Library on Tuesday afternoon.

The County Council also said it would be "stepping back to allow the voluntary sector to take a bigger role with youth activities. This includes increasing funding to district councils and handing buildings back to the community." 

Spending on 'at risk' youth will increase by £1.3million however.

There is also to be a review of subsidised bus services and paid-for transport to faith and grammar schools.

In the meantime the Forest of Dean District Council is saying its cuts will be "largely organisational" although big question marks hang over care services, including support for organisations such as the CAB and Age Concern, which are currently under review.