A COUNCIL which is planning on axeing its mobile library services has come under fire for not holding consultation sessions in the rural communities most affected by the change.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council is planning on changing some of its 13 libraries' opening hours, modernising some branches with self-service machines, relocate two libraries, and stop the mobile service.

The proposals would see none of the council’s 13 libraries close and more of them would have customer information and access to services in the future.

Residents can get involved by completing the survey online on the council's consultation webpage at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/haveyoursay, before April 10. The website also details drop-in consultation events at the library branches.

Councillor Alec Brown, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at the council, said: “The council needs to find £25.6 million of cuts by 2020, £400,000 of which we are proposing to come from library and customer engagement services.

“Our proposals are to keep 13 building-based libraries open and we want to reassure mobile library users that we will work closely with them to ensure that they have access to our library service."

But independent councillor Steve Kay, who represents the Lockwood ward, some of the more remote rural communities, said: "I wonder why there are no drop in sessions for consultation in the mobile library? Mobile library users will be the most affected because they are threatened with losing their library service altogether.

"As usual the rural areas, like East Cleveland will lose out. Why should Redcar have four libraries whilst Lingdale, Moorsholm, Boosbeck, Margrove Park, Liverton, Skinningrove, Carlin How and Easington will have no service whatsoever? It is disgraceful and clear discrimination against the countryside. The Council should hang its head in shame."