WORCESTERSHIRE County Council's decision to hold a crucial consultation meeting on the fate of Rubery Library, the weekend before Christmas, has been labelled a sham by Labour councillor.

The Advertiser previously reported that library users were told to ‘use it or lose it’ by the county council as the authority needs to save £800,000.

The future of some of Worcestershire’s smaller libraries such as Rubery hangs in the balance, and last month we reported on a group of protestors who gathered outside the building on Library Way, with Labour councillor Peter McDonald, who organised a petition urging locals to show their support for the building.

However, Mr McDonald says the council are only holding the meeting because they have to.

Cllr McDonald said: “The consultation exercise being carried out by the County Council regarding the threatened closure of libraries is nothing more than a tick box exercise. They are just doing it because they are expected to do so.

"Carrying out a consultation exercise in Rubery Library on Friday 21st December which is Christmas weekend just demonstrates the contempt the Council have for local residents.

"The consultation exercise is a sham and people can see through it. There is great anger in Rubery as there is no recognition that the Library is more than just a Library, but the only community focus point left in Rubery.

"Residents in Rubery can see through the Council’s hypocrisy and the sham of the exercise when we all know in reality the County Council’s aim is to sacrifice anything on the altar of austerity.

"So far we have had in excess of a thousand people sign our petition for the Library to remain as it is and we are expecting many more.

"Those responsible for trying to take away from us our only community focus point left are bunch of contemptible charlatans."

Councillor Lucy Hodgson,  cabinet member with responsibility for communities said: "The drop-in session in Rubery Library will go ahead on the 21 December as planned, as we are keen to take every opportunity to explore local residents ideas and contributions on how we can shape libraries in the future.

"If the meeting is poorly attended, we will consider introducing an additional meeting in the New Year to ensure that the local community of Rubery have their say."