Dalmuir Library could be moved within Dalmuir community centre under proposals to plug West Dunbartonshire Council’s £21.6 million budget gap.
Balloch, Duntocher, Parkhall and Faifley libraries also face being co-located or closed.
The Dalmuir library plans would free up £530,000 committed by the local authority to create a gallery space in the existing library and a further £700,000 set aside for building upgrades.
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There is also potential to generate capital of around £270,000 from the sale of the current library building which is open between 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on a Saturday.
Papers, which will be presented to councillors this Wednesday, state that “co-locating” the library would retain the facility “for the benefit of the community with savings generated from repairs, maintenance and running costs from the current library site.”
Councillors will also be asked to consider further options for co-location and closure of four other libraries outside the “three main towns” of Alexandria, Dumbarton and Clydebank.”
There are eight libraries across West Dunbartonshire, three in the main towns of Alexandria, Dumbarton and Clydebank and the remaining five in the nearby and surrounding villages.
Members will be asked to decide if they want to “co-locate” Balloch, Duntocher, Parkhall and Faifley libraries generating a saving of £100,000 in running costs or close them, which would generate savings of around £427,000 and result in the loss of 12 posts.
During Wednesday’s budget meeting, councillors will also be asked to set council tax for the coming financial year which could rise by 12 per cent.
Options to increase council tax between three and 12 per cent will also be presented to members but as it stands a rise of 3.4 per cent is expected to be agreed by members.
The report also demonstrates the impact the upcoming budget will have on utilities. Gas is expected to cost West Dunbartonshire Council £1.5 million next year and rise to £2.1 million by 2027 to 2028.
Meanwhile electricity will go up from £1.1 million to £1.6 in the next three years.
Street lighting will increase from £57,000 in 2023 to 2024 to £213,000 by 2027 to 2028 while landfill tax will go up from £12,000 to £60,000 in the next three years.
West Dunbartonshire Council also has the option to use the £6 million reserves, earmarked in December 2022 to help the local authority “smooth over” its finances. The report reflects that the £6 million would be used evenly over the three year period.
If members agree to all the proposals including the distribution of £6 million over the next three financial years, there will be a remaining budget gap of £1.3 million for 2023 to 2024 prior to any council tax increase.
An increase of 3.4 per cent in council tax would be required to deliver a balanced budget. A final decision will be made on Wednesday evening at the full council meeting.
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