ONE North Somerset library and children’s centre looks set to close – and another could face the same fate – as authorities look to save more than £400,000.

North Somerset Council (NSC) has published detailed recommendations for the future of local library services in the district, including the proposed closure of Worle Library and Children’s Centre.

Elsewhere, Winscombe Library is facing an uncertain future, as NSC looks to work with the parish council and volunteers to establish a plan to keep the facility open – or that too could close in March 2027.

Pill Library, however, will be retained, while all libraries will see reduced opening hours – up to 2.5 days a week – and severe cuts to budgets, if they are staying open.

The recommendations come after a 12‑week public consultation between July 2024 and October 2025, which saw 4,945 responses submitted from residents, alongside feedback garnered at a series of drop-in events.

Aimed at saving £433,000 from the library budget, NSC said the cost-cutting is required after “years of reduced government funding, combined with escalating demand and rising costs in services such as adult and children’s social care driven by market forces”.

A final decision over the proposals – including the closure of Worle – will be made at the Full Council meeting on February 24.

READ MORE: Thousands have their say over the future of North Somerset libraries
READ MORE: Three North Somerset libraries under threat amid £430,000 council cuts

What is North Somerset Council proposing for libraries?

The recommendations to councillors come after the consultation, and follow Option B of that survey, which saw the highest level of support from respondents, and fewer equalities impacts before mitigations compared with the other options.

The key elements of the plan are:

• Winscombe Library – North Somerset Council officers to continue to work with the Parish Council and community on developing a community‑led solution. If no viable proposal is agreed by an agreed date, Winscombe Library will close at the end of March 2027, and statutory provision will be delivered via outreach in line with identified needs.
• Worle Library and Children’s Centre – will be closed due to the significant cost of retaining the building and anticipated extensive repairs; NSC officers to continue to explore community‑based outreach opportunities locally, flagged during the consultation.
• Pill Library – to be retained within the council’s statutory network; North Somerset Council officers to continue local community conversations to support and enhance the offer.

Opening hours changes:

For All Healthy Living Centre Library (FAHLC): close one day per week and over lunchtimes (equivalent to an 11.5‑hour weekly reduction).

North Somerset Studies Library: reduce opening by 2.5 days per week.
Weston‑super‑Mare Library: reduce staffed hours by 8.5 hours per week, whilst extending self-service opening hours
Minor reductions across other NSC library sites
Campus Library – reduction in staffed opening hours and potential introduction of self-service opening hours.

Budget measures:
Reduce central staffing and management budgets by £121,200, including deletion of vacant posts.
Reduce spend on new books and e‑resources by £30,500 and further savings in other back-office budgets
Income generation: deliver £41,500 per year via a mix of advertising and commercial opportunities, increased lettings/subletting, partnership recharges, donations and external funding for key events.
Investment: increase outreach activity to help mitigate impacts where site changes occur.

Cllr Mike Solomon, Cabinet member for culture, community services and safety, said: “This has not been an easy conversation for councillors, staff or for our communities. We fully recognise how difficult and unsettling these proposals may feel, but our financial situation means that tough conversations – and ultimately tough decisions – must be faced.

“We have listened carefully to what people told us during the consultation. It is clear how much our libraries are valued, and communities have asked us to find creative, inclusive and future‑focused ways to keep services accessible. This feedback has shaped the recommendations we are putting forward today.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our future library service is fair, accessible and future‑proof, while continuing to meet our statutory duty to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service.

“Working alongside our staff, community groups and partners, we will do everything we can to ensure our libraries remain vibrant, welcoming and responsive – now and into the years ahead.”

If implemented in full, the proposal delivers total savings of £433,000, meeting the requirement in the Medium‑Term Financial Plan and will look to be implemented from the end of this year.

Cabinet will consider the proposals on February 11, before the plans head to Full Council.

READ MORE: North Somerset news from your Leveller