Under plans agreed by Labour-run Sheffield City Council as many as sixteen community libraries could close across the city.

The proposals have proved controversial for Labour leaders of the Council who have faced criticism for wasting millions of pounds on high-paid consultants, office makeovers and political pet projects, like the Park Hill development.

Liberal Democrats are also campaigning to over-turn Labour’s anti-business policies and create new jobs in Sheffield by, for example, supporting Ikea to locate in Sheffield.

Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of the Liberal Democrat on Sheffield City Council, said:

“Everyone knows the Council faces challenges but local people have been clear that closing libraries is not the right way forward. Yet instead of listening to local people, Labour’s town hall bosses continue to waste money on their priorities at a time when every penny counts.

“Liberal Democrats have a full slate of excellent candidates across the city. At local elections on May 22^nd Sheffielders will have a clear choice between hard working Liberal Democrat campaigners who have led the fight to protect libraries and Labour politicians, who seem more interested in protecting their pet projects and office makeovers.

“We also need to make sure that Sheffield sees the benefits of a stronger national economy. By supporting developments, like the much-delayed Ikea, we can help bring more funds into the city, which can help protect the services that matter most.”