Revealed: The cost of keeping libraries open
Find out how much each parish in West Berkshire is being asked to pay
WEST Berkshire Council has written to every town and parish council in the district asking them to make a contribution towards the cost of running the library service.
How much each parish is being asked to pay depends on its population, but equates to approximately £1 for every person.
Newbury Town Council is being asked to stump up £31,275 and Thatcham Town Council £24,480.
By contrast, Stanford Dingley is being asked to pay £195.
With many town and parish councils facing significant financial challenges of their own, some will be forced to consider raising their precepts – the amount of council tax they collect from residents – or simply not making a contribution at all.
The council is considering three different options, which include replacing staff with volunteers at all libraries except Newbury, as it looks to save up to £645,000.
West Berkshire Council’s executive member for culture Dominic Boeck said: “We have no choice but to ask because demand for council services is rising, and at the same time we are receiving less funding from central government.”
Here is a breakdown of what each town and parish council is being asked to pay;
Aldermaston – £1,020
Aldworth – £270
Ashampstead – £375
Basildon – £1,740
Beech Hill – £300
Beedon – £435
Beenham – £1,155
Boxford – £465
Bradfield – £2,160
Brighwalton – £330
Brimpton – £570
Bucklebury – £2,025
Burghfield – £5,715
Chaddleworth – £510
Chieveley – £2,670
Cold Ash – £3,855
Compton – £1,560
East Garston – £525
East Ilsley – £525
Enborne – £750
Englefield – £285
Farnborough – £105
Fawley – £120
Frilsham – £300
Great Shefford – £900
Greenham – £3,690
Hamstead Marshall – £255
Hampstead Norreys – £810
Hermitage – £1,950
Holybrook – £6,675
Hungerford – £5,520
Inkpen – £825
Kintbury – £2,565
Lambourn – £4,020
Leckhampstead – £345
Midgham – £315
Newbury – £31,275
Padworth – £855
Pangbourne – £2,910
Peasemore – £300
Purley-on-Thames – £4,230
Shaw-cum-Donnington – £1,665
Speen – £2,370
Stanford Dingley – £195
Stratfield Mortimer – £3,735
Streatley – £1,065
Sulhamstead – £1,440
Thatcham – £24,480
Theale – £2,730
Tidmarsh – £510
Tilehurst – £13,575
Ufton Nervet – £315
Welford – £510
West Ilsley – £330
West Woodhay – £135
Winterbourne – £210
Wokefield – £435
Woolhampton – £750
Yattendon – £345
