Dear Julie Blaisdale
The reasons Bentham should be retained as a Core Library for West Craven.
Thank you for your recent letters, regarding the proposed withdrawal of all Library Services from the 7,570 people living in the west of Craven by closing both Bentham and Ingleton libraries. I very much appreciate the time and courtesy of your replies. This is clearly a difficult time for everyone concerned.
There are two good reasons for retaining Bentham as a core library consistent with your policies – firstly Bentham is growing community and secondly it is accessibile from the whole of West Craven.
Bentham is a thriving expanding market town:-
Angus Fire the town's largest employer recently started a £5m investment plan guaranteeing jobs for the foreseeable future.
Bentham Auction Market is now the 2nd largest sheep market in Britain
- Operating 2-3 days a week with support services from- banks, accountants, vets etc.
Housing availability will help the population to expand –
- 34 affordable homes have just been completed and there is considerable scope for further new homes without the restrictions common in the National Parks.
Bentham is to have a new primary school.
Bentham library, although well hidden and little promoted, has more annual visits and significantly lower cost per active user than say Crosshills. Bentham library has a significantly younger user profile than most libraries also guaranteeing future demand.
A core library in Bentham would provide accessible library services to the whole of the west of Craven with regular existing transport links by bus from Ingleton; by train from Clapham and by Little Red Bus from the entire area. Settle however is largely inaccessible from the West of Craven.
Please do not reply to this letter as you are clearly very busy. I trust however that you will review your initial plans to take appropriate action to make Bentham a core library.
Thank you
Yours sincerely
Jim Munday
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