Warwickshire libraries could lose 100 staff

Around 50 of these are likely to be full-time posts. The council, which says it wants to avoid compulsory redundancies, began talks with staff this week, ahead of discussions to take place at an overview and scrutiny meeting on Monday. This will be followed by a cabinet meeting on Thursday, when decisions affecting employees are likely to be made.

Meanwhile it has been recommended that consultations be extended with villages interested in setting up community-run libraries, as well as in areas - including Leamington, Lillington, Whitnash, Southam, Wellesbourne and Kenilworth - where reduced opening hours have been proposed.

Cllr Colin Hayfield, responsible for issues concerning customers, access and physical assets, said: “At the end of the day these are extremely difficult times and no councillor, no matter what their political persuasion, wants to make cuts to valued services. But we have to change the way we deliver our services. That is unavoidable to achieve the necessary savings.”