Council considering almost £500,000 of library cuts

Funding for libraries in North Somerset could be cut by almost £500,000, according to the local authority.

North Somerset Council will spend around £2.25m in the next year on its library services, but it said it must make cuts of at least £443,000 over three years starting from 2026, a cut of around 20%.

It is now looking to approve a public consultation on 18 June, which would ask residents how the future of libraries looks in the region.

The council said while its library service is "well-loved", it wants to ensure it adapts amid rising costs and lower funding.