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Cash savings, innovation and service expansion could all be possible if a charitable model for running rural libraries is adopted.

Leicestershire’s UKIP group have proposed the county adopt a system used successfully by Suffolk County Council since 2012 to salvage library services in places such as Burbage, Barwell, Desford and Sapcote.

Faced with a £110 million funding blackhole Leicestershire County Council are looking to offload 36 village libraries in a bid to save £800,000.

The county hopes local residents or community groups will volunteer to take over the management of the centres but if no one is willing to get involved the libraries will shut to be replaced by a mobile service.

Public consultation on the scheme ends on Monday July 7 and a Leicestershire County Council spokesman said all proposals would be considered before the cabinet made its final decision.

UKIP’s take on how to preserve and possibly expand the public service takes inspiration from Suffolk County Council. Party members are suggesting creating an Industrial Provident Society (IPS) - an independent charitable organisation - to deliver library services not only to those threatened with the axe but across the county as a whole.

David Sprason, UKIP county councillor representing Markfield, Desford and Thornton, said: “Libraries are vital community hubs, they are not just about housing books.

“The model used in Suffolk has enabled the council to deliver its statutory obligation fairly while making savings of 30% and has encouraged local community groups to innovate, fundraise and expand the service as a local hub for information, learning, literacy and inclusion.”

The affordability case for Suffolk revealed overall the IPS model was cheaper than the current service, mainly due to reduced staffing costs and smaller property payouts because of business rate exemptions.

While this system was more expensive to set up initally ongoing costs were more modest. Following public consutlation the authority adopted the IPS model, putting its 44 community libraries and mobile, school and prison libraries under the direct control of the newly formed charitable society.

Elected board members from community groups supporting each library has strategic oversight for services but the county retains the statutory responsibility and monitors performance.

Users pay an annual access membership fee, based on the size of the library.

In Burbage the parish council are canvassing residents whether they would pay an extra £5 a year on their council tax to help keep the village library open.