FUNDING for libraries in Worcestershire will be cut but by less than had originally been planned.

Therefore, there need be no worries about the future of Tenbury Library.

This was a feature of a report to Tenbury Town Council from Ken Pollock, who represents the town, on Worcestershire County Council.

“Less money is being removed from the allocation for libraries, so revisions can be made without anyone seriously worrying about closures,” said Mr Pollock.

“If they were ever necessary, a further consultation would be required.”

Tenbury Library provides a range of community-based activities and has become much more than a place where people go to borrow books.

There are computers for people who do not have access on line and courses have been held to teach people how use the internet.

A number of groups regularly meet at the library including a mother and toddler group and there are regular sessions for young children on a Saturday morning.

The Library also has a gallery that can be used for exhibitions by art and other groups in the town.

“Secondly, charges for parking at Worcester Woods have been dropped,” added Mr Pollock.

“Thirdly, the cuts in the budget for the Archive service have been reduced, so that it is more certain to retain its accreditation as a suitable deposit for archive material.

“All three of these areas were subject of fierce lobbying, and it is perfectly reasonable to say that this lobbying had an effect.

“Any politician who believes that their first proposals are the best possible is deceiving themselves, something that might be remembered at all levels of politics.”

Mr Pollock, who holds an economic development portfolio on Worcestershire County Council, said there are plans for investment.

“More investment in rail stations and parking for them, more investment in new industrial sites to create more jobs and more investment in town centre improvements, like that from which Tenbury has benefitted in the last few years,” Mr Pollock added.

“This is in addition to more money being spent on highways and relieving congestion, so that there are very encouraging signs for development in the County, despite the tight financial situation.”

Council tax is scheduled to go up by 3.94 per cent, near the maximum permitted without a referendum, but including one per cent ring fenced for Adult Social Care where there is a pressing need for more funding.