We are delighted to share that North Somerset Council’s Cabinet report recommends retaining Pill Library as a council-run service (Option B) – a significant victory for our community following strong local support during the consultation process. Read the full report here:

We recieved the following email from them today

Dear Town and Parish Councillor,

We are writing to update you on the publication of the Cabinet report setting out the recommended approach for the future of North Somerset’s library services, following a 12‑week public consultation held between 31 July and 24 October 2025.

The report is now available on the council’s website as part of the agenda for the Cabinet meeting on 11 February and available to view at: Committee Report NSC

As you will be aware, the council is required to deliver £433,000 of savings from the library service as part of the Medium‑Term Financial Plan. The recommendations put forward are based on a detailed assessment of community needs, equality impacts, financial considerations, operational sustainability and, crucially, the views and suggestions received through the consultation.

Almost 5,000 responses were formally submitted, with further feedback gathered through drop‑in sessions across the district. If implemented in full the recommendations will ensure that North Somerset Council continues to provide a library service, that meets its statutory requirements.

 

Summary of recommended approach:

The Cabinet report recommends implementing Option B, which received the highest level of support from respondents and was assessed as having fewer equalities impacts prior to mitigations. The recommended actions include:

Library sites

• Winscombe Library

• • Continuing to work with the community to explore and develop a sustainable, community supported model. If no viable solution is found within an agreed timeframe the library will close at the end of March 2027 and statutory services delivered through outreach.

• Worle Library & Children’s Centre

• • Closure recommended from September 2026, due to significant and unaffordable building maintenance and repair needs.
  • Opportunities identified through the consultation for outreach‑based provision will continue to be explored.

• Pill Library

• • Remains part of the Council’s statutory library network.
  • Continuing to work with the community to explore opportunities that came forward through the consultation to support and strengthen the library.

Opening hours

A reduction in staffed hours across all other Council run libraries, including:

• For All Healthy Living Centre Library: close one day per week and at lunchtimes.
• North Somerset Studies Library: reduce by 2.5 days per week.
• Weston‑super‑Mare Library: reduce by 8.5 staffed hours per week, extending self-service access times.
• Campus Library – reduction in staffed opening hours and potential introduction of self-service opening hours.
• Smaller adjustments at other libraries (Nailsea, Clevedon, Yatton, Portishead and Pill).

 

Budget changes

• Reductions to:

• • Central staffing & management budgets
  • Book and digital resources budget
  • Other central budgets

• Deletion of vacant posts
• Increased income generation through lettings, partnership recharges, donations, commercial activity and external funding.

Collectively, these changes achieve the full £433,000 savings requirement if implemented in full.

 

Next Steps:

• The Cabinet will consider the recommendations on 11 February.
• Full Council will then debate the proposals on 24 February, after which formal decisions are expected to be made.
• We will continue to engage with councillors, Town & Parish Councils, staff and community groups throughout this process.

Thank you for your continued interest and involvement in shaping the future of library services in North Somerset.

Best wishes

The Communications Team