A NEW trust has joined forces with Worcestershire County Council to help secure the future of Upton-upon-Severn’s library building.
Upton Villages Together has signed a lease with the county council to maintain, develop and manage the library building on School Lane.
Set up as a charitable trust, Upton Villages Together – backed financially by Upton Town Council, Hanley Swan Parish Council, Hanley Castle Parish Council and Ripple Parish Council – will be free to develop and use the library building for local community use and receive the income from events held there.
A similar funding scheme has been run in Broadway and was placed in operation to help make vital financial savings to the county council’s libraries service budget. In return, the trust is responsible for the upkeep of the building. The library service will continue to be provided by the county council’s Libraries and Learning Service.
It is hoped in the long run the trust will be able to open the building to a number of community groups during times when the library is not open.
Chris Mair, chair of Upton Villages Together, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to see the library used by community groups and organisations at times when the building is normally shut. Its meeting room will likely benefit those who wish to hold evening meetings.”
Coun Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for localism and communities added: “This is great news for the Libraries and Learning Service. Upton Library is a valuable asset to the local community and by joining forces with Upton Villages Together Worcestershire County Council can continue to provide the high quality library service the community want.”
And Coun Roger Sutton, leader of the Independent Alliance Group, added: “I have been more than happy to support Upton Villages Together with money from my divisional fund as I am a great supporter of Upton Library which is well used by the local community and very important for the school.”
Upton Library is open four days a week providing book, CD and DVD lending, free wi-fi, adult learning and leisure courses and activities for children. The library also has a meeting room and exhibition space available for hire.
