Council to maintain current Ryhall Library Service offer following review of options

Rutland County Council will continue to operate Ryhall Library Service in its current form and from its existing premises, following public consultation and a review of available options.

The council held a public consultation on the future of Ryhall Library Service between January and February 2025. This followed a condition survey which found that the cost of repairing and then enhancing the library building to provide additional health and wellbeing services would greatly exceed the amount of funding available for this work.

A cabinet decision due in April 2025 was delayed, to allow more time to consider options for the library service. This included exploring any sustainable options to have a community-based service at a different venue within same area. Having conducted an appraisal of the options for Ryhall Library, Rutland County Council will confirm its intention to maintain the current service offer at its next Full Council meeting on 10 July 2025.

The council has explored possible alternative locations within Ryhall and other nearby villages, as well as considering the demands and uncertainty around local government reorganisation. With no alternative venues immediately available to support a move of the library service, Rutland County Council has concluded that a prolonged process to relocate the provision and then dispose of the building would not be in the interest of library users or an effective use of resources, at this time.

The council is also mindful of the potential impact of local government reorganisation. With public assets and the delivery of local services (including rural libraries) expected to be under the control of a new council body in the next three years, Rutland County Council believes the option to keep Ryhall Library Service in its current location is preferable and will give the local community more time to consider options should a future council seek to make changes to library provisions.

National grant funding that was insufficient to fully repair and enhance the existing Ryhall Library building will be used to improve equipment and lending facilities at the site. The council remains unable to spend additional capital funds on extensive repairs to the building, over and above money which is already included in its budget for maintenance work to keep the building safe and compliant. Should the building fall into serious disrepair and become unsafe, the council may still need to explore an alternative library offer in the east of the county.

Rutland County Council remains committed to working with local communities to make best use of community spaces and deliver the ambitions of its Living Well service – increasing access to health, wellbeing and education services for residents throughout the county.