As part of the Council’s Community Managed Libraries Programme, North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) have been working alongside Raunds Town Council and the Raunds Library Community Trust volunteers, to find a viable solution to enable the transfer of Raunds Library into community management.
As an interim measure, in order to keep the Library open for the local community, NNC had allowed the Raunds Community Library Trust to occupy the library premises under a Tenancy at Will. NNC are now able to announce that a partnership has been brokered between an experienced and established Academy Trust and Raunds Community Library Trust. A new business plan has been received, which will be subject to approval by NNC’s Executive, but there is confidence that this will secure the future of Raunds Library.
Cllr Helen Howell, North Northamptonshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism
The decision to close Raunds library, unless a suitable community management agreement was established, was taken by the former Northamptonshire County Council.
It has always been my desire to find a workable solution to retain Raunds Library without placing the financial burden solely on the residents of Raunds, so I am delighted that we have been able to bring these two trusts together. We have been working tirelessly with all concerned to find the best outcome for our residents and this partnership will provide the support and stability that is needed to retain Raunds Library. My sincere thanks to all concerned.
Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council
I am pleased that we have been able to announce this partnership and, subject to approval by the Executive, we should be able to secure the future of this excellent asset for the residents of Raunds.
Raunds Town Council
Raunds Town Council welcomes this positive outcome for Raunds Library and would like to place on record our thanks to Cllr Howell and NNC for all of the work that has gone on behind the scenes. We would also like to thank the army of volunteers who have kept the library going over the last few years. It is great that everyone has come together to be able to secure the future of this important community service. We very much look forward to meeting the Academy Trust in due course to discuss how we can support them further.