PUBLIC opinion was ignored over proposed library cuts, according to an opposition councillor.

Labour leader on Swindon Council, Coun Derique Montaut, accused the council’s cabinet of carrying out a “flawed” consultation over plans to close one library and cut staffing at two others.

But Conservative deputy leader Coun Fionuala Foley defended the proposals, saying residents had got “half of what they wanted”.

The exchange of views took place on Monday night during the council’s scrutiny committee’s analysis of last week’s cabinet decisions.

Cabinet members had backed recommendations to cut library staff from two to one at Even Swindon and Old Town libraries.

Under the proposals, which still have to be ratified by the full council, volunteers from autism charity DASH (Discovering Autistic Spectrum Happiness) and Farleigh College for 16 to 19 year olds with Asperger’s Syndrome will help out at Old Town library, while the caretaker at Even Swindon Community Centre will replace one of the librarians at that facility.

Gorse Hill library will be closed and replaced by a mobile service.

Coun Foley said: “We are talking about four or five volunteers from DASH, so it’s not as if there will be a new face everytime people go in there.

“These are people who have expressed an interest in books and in volunteering.

“They will have someone supporting them, who will first learn the job and understand the rules, then teach them to the volunteers.”

A similar number of work experience students from Farleigh College will help out at the library during term time, Coun Foley explained.

But scrutiny committee chairman Coun Montaut said: “There were a lot of people in Old Town that were opposed. That process of consultation was overlooked by cabinet. What is the value of consultation when the cabinet decides it has no point?”

Coun Foley said: “They got half of what they wanted. They wanted to retain library staff – they will still have a librarian.”

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Stan Pajak sought reassurances from Coun Foley that no staff would lose their jobs at Old Town library and the libraries would be able to stay open longer because of the changes.

Coun Foley said: “There will be a member of staff retained. Whether it will be one of the current members of staff I don’t know yet. I have had interest from all over Swindon.”

l PLANS to move Old Town library into the Arts Centre have already been drawn up.

Coun Foley said preparations for the move were well under way and that a refurbished cafe would be part of the vision.

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Stan Pajak voiced concerns over the layout of the library.

He said it was important the library became a permanent fixture within the Arts Centre.

Coun Pajak added: “I think some of the residents were concerned about this idea of book shelves on wheels.

“I think it’s important to get the cafe up and running again and have a permanent space for the library.”