Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab)

- Hansard - - Excerpts

The petition is signed by more than 1,250 residents of Sedgefield who are concerned about the reduction in the number of hours that their library will be open. They want an increase in the number.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of Sedgefield,

Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to proposals to reduce the opening hours of Sedgefield Library from 39 hours a week to 20: further declares that while the Petitioners recognise the need to make cuts, the Petitioners believe that such a drastic cut will undermine community services and leave a huge gap in the welfare of both adults and children, as Sedgefield Library is at the heart of the community; and declares that the Petitioners believe that 30 hours of opening each week would be more appropriate for what is one of the most used libraries in the county.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to review the level of cuts in funding to Durham County Council so that the Council can look again at the proposed reduction in the opening hours of Sedgefield library and to look at what else can be done to maintain library opening hours at a suitable level.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P001118]