Bath’s library could be in line for a makeover if shelved plans to bring in council services are scrapped for good.

The previous Conservative administration had proposed integrating Manvers Street’s One Stop Shop into the Podium venue, but shelved the controversial idea following numerous protests – citing budget pressures.

Now, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s leading Liberal Democrat cabinet is considering scrapping the £3 million scheme altogether and giving the library a refresh.

Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for resources, said: “Libraries are a community asset, and this proposal allows us to protect and invest in Bath Central Library, which needs some updating. If approved by Council, the work will be budgeted for in the 2020/21 capital programme.”

He said the the One Stop Shop and its partners will remain in Manvers Street. Cabinet members will consider the proposal on Wednesday, 6th November.

Papers for the meeting say: “The Council remains committed to a library at the Podium in Bath as part of the wider Modern Libraries programme to secure the sustainability of the library service in Bath & North East Somerset, and recognises that the library in the Podium would benefit from an internal refresh; however, the same level of capital investment is no longer required.

“A new capital investment proposal for these works will be considered as part of the capital programme approval process by council in February 2020.”

City Centre Councillor, Sue Craig, (Lib-Dem, Kingsmead) commented: “I’m delighted by this news. The new Lib-Dem administration is listening to residents and putting them first. There were dozens of protests against the previous Conservative scheme, which would have seen the Library and One Stop Shop shoehorned into one building.

“The Lib-Dems opposed that plan throughout the previous four years; it was too expensive and impractical. The Conservative administration never proved the case for co-locating these two services, and they wasted a lot of time and money trying to force their plan through.

“Now the Library will benefit from funding to update and refresh facilities, thanks to this decision. The Library is such an important service and it needs the right support from the Council. I’m glad our new Lib-Dem administration has been able to draw a line under this sorry episode.”

The Conservative administration’s Modern Libraries Programme saw nine community libraries become run by volunteers, a new mobile library vehicle put on the road and extended the click and collect scheme for books through the roll-out of extra community libraries. It also oversaw integrated library and information services in Midsomer Norton and Keynsham’s One Stop Shops.

In a move to modernise, the Council developed the digital offering to people, giving library members access to a wide range of digital facilities and resources, from free computer and internet access, to online books, audiobooks and e-magazines. There is also support and advice in libraries to help people improve their digital skills, as well as hosting community events.

Stephen Sumner, LDRS