COUNTY chiefs have been accused of ignoring the wishes of residents after recommending widespread library closures this week – as well as an overall cut in library opening hours across Hampshire.

Hampshire County Council launched a consultation earlier this year, offering two options to help achieve a targeted £1.76 million in cuts to the library service:

- To reduce opening hours of all Hampshire libraries by 25 per cent; or

- Close up to ten libraries and reduce opening hours of all remaining libraries by 15 per cent on average.

Of those who responded to the consultation, 58 per cent preferred the option of a greater reduction in opening hours for all libraries over individual branch closures.

However, officers have recommended that eight of the ten threatened libraries – including Odiham – should close, while reducing the opening hours of the remaining libraries by 20 per cent.

The closures will put 50 jobs at risk, if agreed by Hampshire’s executive member for recreation and heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, at his Decision Day on Tuesday (July 28).

Odiham Parish Council has expressed its “disappointment” at the recommendation, which it said will force many villagers on a two-hour round bus trip to access their nearest library, and will disadvantage local primary school children.

Parish council chairman Dr Angela McFarlane said: “The decision to close Odiham library is regrettable in that it goes against the consultation which showed a clear preference for a reduction in the overall level of service by 25 per cent rather than closure.

“In Odiham this is particularly disappointing for residents as a round trip to the nearest library by public transport will take up to two hours. The Odiham library is also a very important resource for the local infant and junior schools.”

Speaking ahead of his Decision Day, Cllr Woodward thanked the more than 21,000 people who took the time to respond to the consultation, and promised to look “very closely at this feedback” as he considered officers’ recommendations.

He added the £1.76m cuts to the library service are essential to help bridge the social care funding gap, adding the council was also anticipating almost £110m of unplanned costs and losses this financial year, because of Covid-19.