Delay to report over the fate of Norfolk's mobile libraries

Nearly 1,400 people responded to Norfolk County Council's proposals to cut the budget for mobile libraries from £422,000 to £200,000, as part of proposals to save millions of pounds.

A report detailing what the Conservative-controlled council intends to do had been due to come to the council's cabinet this month - but it has been delayed until January.

County Hall officers said the delay had been triggered partly because the consultation had been extended following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, but also because so many people gave views during the consultation.

A spokesman said: "Due to both the extension of the consultation due to the passing of Her late Majesty, and the large number of detailed responses we received, we want to make sure that we take time to understand the public response, so the report will be going to the cabinet in January."

The council, which needs to make £60m of savings in 2023/24, says it needs to find ways to run the mobile library service in a different way.

That could trigger cuts to the number of routes which the libraries currently go out on.

Six mobile libraries are operated by the county council, stopping outside playgroups, schools, care homes and traveller sites.

There are currently 1,304 stops and time spent at each stop ranges from 10 minutes to an hour.

Political opponents have criticised the proposals. Labour's Chrissie Rumsby said the service should be expanded, not cut.

Liberal Democrat Steffan Aquarone said cuts risked increasing social isolation.

And Alexandra Kemp, independent councillor, said the mobile library service is a lifeline, especially for families, and older and disabled residents who cannot drive or use tablets.

Once the cabinet has discussed the consultation findings in January, a final decision on the fate of the service will be made when the authority sets its budget the following month.