A public meeting will take place next week on potential future operating models for the public library at Fishguard Town Hall.
The meeting at 6.30pm on Monday July 14th at Fishguard Town Hall is part of a wider consultation organised jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council and Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council (FGTC) – further details below.
FGTC is considering taking over the management of the Town Hall as part of a Community Asset Transfer.
The consultation is to get the public’s views on the best option to reduce the running costs of the library to make it financially sustainable in its current location.
A joint working group with PCC and FGTC members has been established to investigate various options and are interested in the public’s views on the potential for creating a Community Managed Partnership Library, with the support of local volunteers.
The meeting will focus on how a Community Managed Partnership Library operates, and to establish if enough local people might be interested in volunteering.
This does not necessarily mean that this will be the option chosen following the consultation, but rather reflects that it is a more complex option to explain, hence holding the public meeting.
The consultation starts on Thursday 10th July and closes on Wednesday 20th August, at 5pm.
The consultation documents will be available online at: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/consultations from Thursday July 10th and paper copies available in English and Welsh from the Town Hall from the same date.
The options for consideration in the consultation are:
Option 1: Relocate the library to smaller premises elsewhere in the locality. Location to be determined.
Option 2: Share the existing library space with a third-party such as a shop or café.
Option 3: Increase the annual financial contribution from the Town Council.
Option 4: Reduce the opening hours of the library.
Option 5: Create a Community Managed Library Partnership.
Option 6: Close the library and replace it with mobile library provision.
All the options above are set out in greater detail in the consultation documents.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We know how important the library at Fishguard town Hall is to local people and alongside Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council we aim to strike a balance that continues library provision while also providing savings.
“Please take up the opportunity to review the consultation documents when they go live and also attend the public meeting on Monday July 14th, 6.30pm at the Town Hall to hear more.”
A spokesman for Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council, said: “We know how important Fishguard Library is for our communities and want to ensure the continuation of the fantastic service provided by the library staff, whilst acknowledging the need to reduce costs.
“It is therefore important that people take this opportunity to share their thoughts and views and the Town Council would encourage everybody to take part in this consultation and to attend the public meeting on July 14th.”
