LIBRARY users have hit out at Wirral Council’s decision to cut opening hours without consulting with staff.

The cash-strapped authority approved plans to slash opening hours at 15 of the borough’s libraries to 18 hours a week when they met earlier this month.

Library users groups were told that they would be consulted on changes to opening hours but a letter sent to the chairs of Friends of Library group says the changes will take effect from January 12.

 Jacquie McKelvie, chair of Friends of Irby Library said: “I’m so angry that library staff and Friends Groups have been treated in such a disgraceful manner. 

“Friends Groups were promised consultation back in the summer by the Leader of the Council. So far we are still waiting.

“They haven’t even asked the staff what they think. The entire process has been a shambles.”

 Sue O’Neil, chair of the Friends of Greasby Library added: “I am furious that the Council hasn't asked us what are the best opening times for our Library. It’s bad enough they reduce the opening times to a miserable 18 hours per week. I’m disgusted.”

Conservative Cllr Tom Anderson, who represents Greasby, Frankby and Irby, said it was yet another example of how “this shoddy Labour Council operates”.

He said: “Not only did they not fulfil their statutory duties in consulting individual library user groups before they made their decision to reduce 15 of Wirral’s libraries to a stingy 18 hours per week, they’re now dictating to them when they will be open. Despite the Leader of the council promising them they would have a say.

“It really is bonkers. Six years ago when deciding to close Libraries they triggered a full public inquiry, led by Sue Charteris, and the conclusion was the council was in breach of its statutory obligations.

“Now they are repeating the same mistakes. I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport asking him to intervene and investigate Wirral Council’s shenanigans once again.’

 Joe Blott, Wirral’s strategic director for transformation and resources, said the authority understands the concerns of the Friends’ groups and library users.

He said: “These reductions in library hours are a direct result of savings across the council due to unprecedented cuts in funding.

“Over the last three years we have gone out to the public and asked for their views on how savings can be made. Regarding libraries, the majority of people were in favour of cutting library hours if it meant that libraries could be saved.

“Original proposals to cut hours at community libraries to 10 hours a week were shelved in favour of reducing them to 18 hours a week, and far from ignoring the views of people, this was a direct response to the feedback we received from the public.”

Mr Blott added: “We still have 24 libraries and our library service is still spread across six days and evenings. We are remodelling the service to ensure people have access to online services 24/7, and for those who prefer to visit, a library will be available within two miles of any library not open on a particular day.

“Wirral remains one of the only councils in the Northwest to not close a single library.

The new opening hours will take effect from January 12, 2015.