JOBS will be lost as part of plans to shave £569,000 off the bill for libraries in Thurrock.
Documents made available online by Thurrock Council ahead of next week’s cabinet meeting confirm that the authority are looking to “reduce staffing costs” at a number of the borough’s nine libraries by introducing more volunteer workers.
The documents also suggest that the one proposal being looked at is relocating the Thameside library in Orsett Road, Grays, to the Civic Offices.
Last week the council announced that no libraries would be closing following huge outcry from the public. Over 3,000 people signed a petition by the Save the Thurrock Libraries campaign group against the closures.
Comic Russell Brand also backed the Gazette’s campaign to keep the libraries open.
The council also announced that another library will open in Purfleet as part of the town’s regeneration plans.
Libraries which could see volunteers take the place of paid library staff under the proposals are Blackshots, Chadwell St Mary, Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope.
The report going forward to cabinet next week suggests £100,000 could be saved in 2016/17 if the Thameside library was relocated to the Civic Offices.
In total, 3,102 people responded to the council’s consultation looking at the ways in which money could be saved.
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