This Council welcomes the recent developments in library services implemented by the ruling Conservative Group. These include:

•       A new lending library in the Town Hall, increasing provision in the north of the Borough.

•       A brand new library planned for Altrincham, in the heart of the market quarter, increasing accessibility.

•       Improved library provision in Stretford envisaged in the new Masterplan.

•       The introduction of e-readers for loan (the first Council in the country to do so).

•       Opening up our libraries to volunteers with a huge response from local residents.

•       The planned introduction of WiFi in all libraries (the first Council in AGMA to do so).

•       Introduction of Teletalk to allow face to face communication via video with plans to increase this service further.

This Council would like to thank our residents for their continuing support of our library service.

It was moved and seconded that:

        “This Council welcomes the recent developments in library services implemented by the ruling Conservative Group. These include:

·      A new lending library in the Town Hall, increasing provision in the north of the Borough.

·      A brand new library planned for Altrincham, in the heart of the market quarter, increasing accessibility.

·      Improved library provision in Stretford envisaged in the new Masterplan.

·      The introduction of e-readers for loan (the first Council in the country to do so).

·      Opening up our libraries to volunteers with a huge response from local residents.

·      The planned introduction of WiFi in all libraries (the first Council in AGMA to do so).

·      Introduction of Teletalk to allow face to face communication via video with plans to increase this service further.

        This Council would like to thank our residents for their continuing support of our library service.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

        “The Council notes the developments in library services implemented by the ruling Conservative Group. These include:

·      Closing the Library at Stretford Sports Centre and replacing it with a more remote library in the Town Hall.

·      Proposed Closure of Altrincham Library with a view to replace it with one in the Market Quarter.

·      Overall reduction in Trafford Library opening hours?

·      Discontinuation of the mobile library service.

·      The planned introduction of Wi-Fi in Libraries.

·      Introduction of e-readers on loan.

·      Introduction of Teletalk.

·      Introduced a Policy of replacing staff in all our Trafford libraries with unpaid volunteers.

·      Cut the bookstart programme budget.

·      Reduced the book fund budget.

        Along with many Trafford residents this Council is disappointed the ruling Conservative Group has decided to replace valued paid library staff with unpaid volunteers. Nevertheless the Council would like to thank our residents in their continuing support of our library service.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

Further speeches were made in respect of the substantive Motion before it was put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes the recent developments in library services implemented by the ruling Conservative Group. These include:

·      A new lending library in the Town Hall, increasing provision in the north of the Borough.

·      A brand new library planned for Altrincham, in the heart of the market quarter, increasing accessibility.

·      Improved library provision in Stretford envisaged in the new Masterplan.

·      The introduction of e-readers for loan (the first Council in the country to do so).

·      Opening up our libraries to volunteers with a huge response from local residents.

·      The planned introduction of WiFi in all libraries (the first Council in AGMA to do so).

·      Introduction of Teletalk to allow face to face communication via video with plans to increase this service further.

        This Council would like to thank our residents for their continuing support of our library service.