THE closure of five Bolton libraries has been approved by council bosses—but the decision must now be passed to a local authority scrutiny committee.

To cries of “shame” from the public gallery, Bolton Council’s full executive approved the closure of Astley Bridge, Oxford Grove, Highfield, Castle Hill and Heaton libraries.

The decision will now go to a scrutiny committee on Monday and then, most likely, to a full council vote next Wednesday.

But yesterday’s decision was essentially the final nail in the coffin for five branch libraries.

The Save Bolton Libraries Campaign is considering whether to force a judicial review, but said this would cost £30,000 — money it does not have.

Neighbourhood collections will replace the libraries, saving the council £400,000 over the next two years as part of THE closure of five Bolton libraries has been approved by council bosses—but the decision must now be passed to a local authority scrutiny committee.

To cries of “shame” from the public gallery, Bolton Council’s full executive approved the closure of Astley Bridge, Oxford Grove, Highfield, Castle Hill and Heaton libraries.

The decision will now go to a scrutiny committee on Monday and then, most likely, to a full council vote next Wednesday.

But yesterday’s decision was essentially the final nail in the coffin for five branch libraries.

The Save Bolton Libraries Campaign is considering whether to force a judicial review, but said this would cost £30,000 — money it does not have.

Neighbourhood collections will replace the libraries, saving the council £400,000 over the next two years as part of THE closure of five Bolton libraries has been approved by council bosses—but the decision must now be passed to a local authority scrutiny committee.

To cries of “shame” from the public gallery, Bolton Council’s full executive approved the closure of Astley Bridge, Oxford Grove, Highfield, Castle Hill and Heaton libraries.

The decision will now go to a scrutiny committee on Monday and then, most likely, to a full council vote next Wednesday.

But yesterday’s decision was essentially the final nail in the coffin for five branch libraries.

The Save Bolton Libraries Campaign is considering whether to force a judicial review, but said this would cost £30,000 — money it does not have.

Neighbourhood collections will replace the libraries, saving the council £400,000 over the next two years as part of THE closure of five Bolton libraries has been approved by council bosses—but the decision must now be passed to a local authority scrutiny committee.

To cries of “shame” from the public gallery, Bolton Council’s full executive approved the closure of Astley Bridge, Oxford Grove, Highfield, Castle Hill and Heaton libraries.

The decision will now go to a scrutiny committee on Monday and then, most likely, to a full council vote next Wednesday.

But yesterday’s decision was essentially the final nail in the coffin for five branch libraries.

The Save Bolton Libraries Campaign is considering whether to force a judicial review, but said this would cost £30,000 — money it does not have.

Neighbourhood collections will replace the libraries, saving the council £400,000 over the next two years as part of wider £60 million budget cuts, enforced by a reduction in central Government funding.

But the silver lining, revealed at yesterday’s Town Hall meeting, was that the council would now investigate rolling out the neighbourhood collection service across the borough.

It means areas such as Kearsley, Hulton and Smithills could also benefit from smaller collection points, as well as the five areas in which libraries are to close.

Following the decision, Cllr Cliff Morris said: “These closures are forced by central Government cuts.

“We have to find £60 million savings and no service has been exempt. We will still have a comprehensive network of 10 libraries.”

The shake-up will see the equivalent of 13 full-time jobs go. Opening hours at Bolton Central Library will be increased, and the library, museum and aquarium will now open on Sundays and some bank holidays.

The first five neighbourhood collections will be based at the Oldhams Children’s Centre, Tonge Moor UCAN, Heaton Library, which will stay open as a community hub, the Orchards in Farnworth, and Halliwell UCAN.

Each collection point will have a feeder library, which will provide the books, with Bromley Cross, Harwood, Horwich, Farnworth and High Street libraries helping out their nearest collection points.

Ian McHugh, secretary of Save Bolton Libraries Campaign, said Government rules would make it “very difficult” for his group to force a legal challenge.

He added: “We’re not in a position where we have any money to pay for a judicial review, but if there are people who are able to fund it, then we will consider it.

“None of the political parties in that meeting are representing the views of the public. There is a democratic deficiency at the heart of local politics which just adds to people disillusionment.

“The council has not listened on the housing stock transfer, it didn’t listen on the Market Hall and it hasn’t listened on libraries.”