City library and community centre changes set out

Leicester City Council is set to confirm major changes to the way it runs libraries and community centres.

The authority said it was set to approve proposals that would save it £500,000 in 2026-27, and £1.57m every year after to help it balance its books.

The move involves closing the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and Library, in Newfoundpool, as well as offering other buildings to community groups to run.

Vi Dempster, the Labour-run council's assistant mayor for libraries and communities, said officials would help interested parties develop business plans for buildings in the coming months.

The council said it had revised initial proposals, aimed at saving £2.1m a year, after more than 6,000 people responded to a consultation and campaigns to prevent libraries being offloaded to volunteers to run.

Under the plans, the council would run 12 multi-service centres in areas including Beaumont Leys and Highfields, and the St Matthew's Library would relocate to St Matthews Children, Young People and Family Centre.

Those sites will open between 30 and 40 hours a week, the council said.

The council added it would continue to run Evington, Knighton and Rushey Mead libraries rather than transfer them to volunteers to operate.

The Central Library, in Bishop Street in the city centre, would open for 45 hours a week - a reduction from 52.5 hours.

The council said it would continue to run the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre and Rushey Mead Recreation Centre.

However it said it would work with local community groups to improve their financial sustainability, looking to double the income they make.

Officials said customer self-access systems would be introduced at Braunstone Library at the Brite Centre, and libraries in New Parks, Belgrave, Hamilton and the Pork Pie and St Barnabas libraries in addition to some staffed hours.

Braunstone Frith Recreation Centre, Coleman Neighbourhood Centre, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, Gilmorton Community Rooms and the Tudor Centre will be offered to the community to run, the council said.

The Armadale Centre, in Netherhall, would become a community-run facility, and the Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre would be demolished, the council added.

The council said the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and Library had low user numbers and was in a poor condition, so it is set to be closed.

The Alice Hawkins Community Projects group, which operates from the annexe of the building, is set to be relocated.

Dempster said the plans would see about £5m invested in council buildings which would lead to longer-term savings.

"We are also determined to continue to involve communities to help us to ensure that all of these services are well-used and more income is generated as a result," she added.

The council said staffing numbers would be reduced but that it would seek to redeploy staff where possible.

The authority added its decision on the plans was due to be ratified on 11 March.

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