Axe is set to fall on Derbyshire mobile libraries

Derbyshire County Council is expected to reduce its mobile library fleet to just two vehicles.

Currently, the ten vehicles visit 383 communities across Derbyshire which do not have a library.

But under the changes, the two vehicles would only be able to visit 150 areas four times a week.

Communities including Brampton and Matlock Bath would be affected.

In addition, 20 members of staff could lose their jobs.

The council is having to make the “devastating” cuts in a bid to save £158million by 2018 as a result of Government austerity.

A consultation on the proposals revealed 70 per cent of users considered the mobile library service to be important to them.

Seventy-two per cent of respondents said the withdrawal of the service in their community would have a major effect.

Earlier this year, members of the public in Ashover told councillors at a meeting that running a reduced service would be “unfair”.

A report set to go before councillors acknowledges the changes would have an “adverse impact on a significant number of existing service users”.

Councillor Dave Allen, the council’s cabinet member for health and communities, said: “We’re facing unprecedented pressures on our budget which sadly means we have no alternative but to review all our services.”

The council will meet next Tuesday when it is expected to approve the proposals.

The changes would come into force at the start of next January.

Derbyshire’s mobile library service is used by older people, housebound residents, families, schools, playgroups and nurseries.

To find out if your area is affected, see here.