Library could merge with leisure centre - council

Cleethorpes Library could be merged with the town’s leisure centre, council bosses have suggested.

The draft proposals, to be consulted on next year, are part of a review of North East Lincolnshire Council's libraries and public archive services.

Plans also include a skills hub alongside the existing library service in Grimsby.

Earlier this year locals were asked how they used the current facilities, and how libraries could work alongside other services in the future.

Waltham would also become a community library model, combining access to reading materials with other community-based services, the council said.

The initial consultation gathered 888 responses, along with feedback from focus groups and community sessions.

More than half of those who expressed an opinion were not in favour of having a library in a leisure centre, or shopping centre, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, a majority agreed they would like to be able to access more services in the library, such as health and wellbeing.

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, portfolio holder for culture and heritage, said the proposals - set out in a report - were based on people's responses and "our assessment of local need".

However, he said the council would not be "unnecessarily raising expectations" by presenting options that were "simply not achievable" in phase two of the process.

Dawkins said the proposals put forward were in keeping with the wider council strategy to encourage greater footfall in town centres, along with the benefits of having different services under one roof.

“The proposals recognise that these buildings will require significant investment to bring them up to a modern-day standard and to develop vibrant spaces to respond to the changing uses taking place within these services," he added.

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