North Yorkshire author Mike Pannett calls for review on library cuts (From Gazette & Herald)

North Yorkshire author Mike Pannett calls for review on library cuts

4:42pm Tuesday 11th January 2011 in News

A POPULAR North Yorkshire author has called on county council executives to review their own pay before they make cuts to the region’s libraries.

Police officer turned writer, Mike Pannett said North Yorkshire County Council’s chief executive and other high-earners at the authority should re-think their plans to close Easingwold Library, along with 23 others across the region.

He said: “I think they should be looking very hard at their own pay structures. We have dozens of earners on more than £50,000 a year.”

He said the library was a ”huge part of the rural community” which was now “for the chop.”

The council said it is expecting to have to save around £2.3million from its existing library budget of £7.5million over the next four years as a result of the cuts. But said it will still continue to invest the remaining £5m a year in the service.

“In the face of this, we have to ask some fundamental questions,” said County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for Adult and Community Services.

“It’s not just about saving money. It’s also about prioritising our services so we can reach the largest number of people, about adapting the libraries to meet changing demands from library users and about ensuring that all our taxpayers get the best value for their money.”