NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS

Somerset's libraries have been told to stop taking daily newspapers.

Cash-strapped Lib Dem SCC has ordered libraries to stop the papers as a cost-saving measure. Conservatives fear that this Lib Dem cut is just the tip of the iceberg. Magazines could well be the next to be hit. And even worse, Somerset County Council were recently named in the national press as being one local authority likely to close down some of its libraries completely.

Ken Maddock, Leader of the Conservative Group at Somerset County Council, said, "This is yet another Lib Dem cut to a service that the people of Somerset rely on. Our libraries should be sources of learning and information, yet the Lib Dems are stripping this vital source away. I know of another Lib Dem council which is planning to close half of its libraries, and I am very worried that it could happen here.''

Councillor Maddock continued, ''Somerset needs to concentrate its efforts on the things people value, and cut out the waste on things nobody wants.''

END