A village-wide consultation has been launched in Peasedown St John to discover people’s views on plans to open a new Community Library.

The project is being led by Bath & North East Somerset Councillors, Karen Walker and Sarah Bevan (Independent), who have been campaigning for many years for more educational resources in the village.

The proposals are in response to the Local Authority’s plans to cut the Mobile Library Service, which has made regular trips to Peasedown St John for decades.

Cllr Karen Walker said: “We’re concerned that changes to the way the Mobile Library operates will leave vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, isolated and cut off from valuable resources and information.

“Cllr Bevan and I are therefore working hard to ensure that Peasedown doesn’t suffer in the long run, and a new in-house library facility is opened in a community the size of ours!”

Earlier in the year, Karen and Sarah met with B&NES Council officials, the Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries, and Peasedown St John Residents’ Association. The meeting resulted in a business plan being produced for a new Community Library based at St John’s Community Hall, St John’s Close.

The library will be run by volunteers with a target of being open six hours per week, a huge increase from the current two hours per fortnight that the mobile library provides. Internet facilities will be available, along with tea, coffee and support from trained librarians.

Cllr Sarah Bevan added: “We want to ensure our new community library meets the needs of the people living in our village, which is why we’ve launched this consultation asking for residents’ views on opening hours and what services they’d like to see.

“Cllr Walker and I will be hand delivering a copy of the consultation to every house over the next two-to-three weeks. We’d like to encourage everyone to respond with their views.”

B&NES Council has committed up to £5,000 for the new Peasedown library, which will be managed by the Residents’ Association.

For more details, email Cllr Karen Walker on: [email protected] or Cllr Sarah Bevan on: [email protected]