In their final budget which will go to the cabinet and then the full council, the line has been removed which previously talked about expected savings to be made from the library service. This raised the spectre of previous Tory plans to reduce opening hours and to close two of the city’s six libraries.

Labour are working on proposals for further budget amendments, Southend’s libraries are safe and will remain so if there is a Labour-led administration after the May Local Elections. Under the Conservatives, they could reintroduce their cuts and proposals in next year budget. Vote Labour