A PUBLIC meeting is being held to discuss a plan that could save Nether Stowey Library.

The library is under threat after Somerset Library Service recommended to the county council that the library should be closed and replaced by a mobile library in March next year unless a community group can be formulated to run the facility in partnership with the council.

Nether Stowey Parish Council has been in discussion with the library service for some time, but unfortunately it has been unable to agree an affordable solution.

Now, the Friends of Nether Stowey Library (FONSL) have proposed becoming a Registered Charity – specifically a Charitable Incorporated Organisation - which would allow it to gain Business Rates relief, reducing by a third the annual running costs of the Library building, meaning it could work with the parish council to fund the building.

"The building would be leased by FONSL from the county council, probably in the first instance for 25 years," said a FONSL spokesperson.

"Contributions that have been promised, including £5,000 pa from the county council, income from library transactions and funding by FONSL itself should more than cover the basic annual running costs.

"Fundraising will be needed in due course to pay for one-off items, such as an upgrade to the heating system."

'A number of' volunteers have come forward to help, the spokesperson added, but the group is keen to find more.

A public meeting will be held at the Village Hall on November 13 7.30pm to explain the proposal, answer questions, and enlist help.