THE commitment to save Warrington's libraries has been reaffirmed after the national Libraries Taskforce held its meeting in the town.

The group, chaired by council chief executive Steven Broomhead, met at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub last Wednesday.

Cllr Tony Higgins, executive board member for leisure and community, said: "It was a great privilege to host this important event here in Warrington – to give the opening speech was a great honour and very enjoyable.

"Warrington is leading the way nationally when it comes to delivering a library service and I'm immensely proud to be leading that delivery.

"As a Labour council, we are working hard to deliver a library service against a backdrop of cuts to our budget that is having a huge impact on other vital services.

"Making a commitment to save our libraries was tough but it was the right decision."

Mr Broomhead welcomed the latest discussions.

He said: "The taskforce meeting was very positive to showcase the Orford Hub to key national policy-makers and influencers, who were impressed with the integrated facilities to support our town’s health and wellbeing.

"At the meeting we discussed issues which included digital impact on the library service, our national ambitions for libraries and the possible impacts of the Chancellor's forthcoming spending review."