Ryhall library services

Public consultation on how best to deliver local library services in Ryhall closed on Friday 28 February 2025.

Background

Rutland County Council has embarked on a programme to use £950,000 of national grant funding to enhance all four of its library buildings and turn them into new Living Well Centres.

Following condition surveys that have been carried out to support enhancements to our library buildings, we have found that the necessary works to bring Ryhall Library up to standard would exceed the available budget for this site. Because of this, Rutland County Council has notified the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Arts Council that we must explore alternative options for delivering library services in Ryhall.

Councils considering any changes to their library service must inform DCMS about their proposals at an early stage, before holding public engagement or consultation with the local community. This is where we are now.

We have organised a public consultation about the future of library services in Ryhall so that all options can be considered and an alternative plan be proposed to the Arts Council, with the aim of securing the available funding and allowing us to keep delivering library services in the Ryhall area.

About the condition of Ryhall Library

Ryhall Library was constructed in the early 1970s and is a single storey brick building. In 2021, a survey of the building condition was completed and has been recently updated. Defects identified were, in the main, thought likely to need attention within five years to prevent further dilapidation.  

Funding for Rutland’s Living Well programme comes from Section 106 monies, capital grants and the national Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF). The level of investment required at Ryhall Library exceeds that which is available through the LIF grant. It is estimated that the works required will be in the region of at least £250,000, which is almost four times the funding available for the site.

There are several issues associated with the outside of the library building, including water damage. Roof construction, evidence of nesting bats and ground level access are also points of concern. Internal repairs include fractured brickwork, defective doors and windows and replacing the washroom. A full rewire is likely to be needed, along with replacement heating and lighting. The building has minimal insulation, while more specialist surveys (including one for asbestos) are required before the full extent of the work and associated costs can be confirmed.

Rutland’s LIF funding must be spent by the end of March 2026, meaning work on our other library sites must continue as planned while we consult with residents about services in Ryhall.

Consultation process

Rutland County Council held a consultation in adherence to the statutory process that must be followed whenever changes might be made to a public library service.

We invited residents and service users to review our considerations and share feedback that can be used to help reach a solution and shape an alternative delivery model, should this be needed.

The consultation ran for 30 days and closed at midnight on Friday 28 February 2025.