THE city council's consultation on its budget proposals has been labelled "a joke".

Liberal Democrat councillor Gary Long has seized upon a reference in the budget to a "libraries modernisation programme" which is actually about the potential closure of two libraries.

The Labour-led authority says it is running a separate consultation on the library plans.

The line in relation to libraries states: "Modernisation of the library and information service network to reflect increasing citizen expectations and changing patterns of demand and need." The anticipated saving is £155,000 over three years.

Coun Long said when he enquired about this item, he was told it related to the possible closure of Wilford Library and Beechdale, which he is campaigning to save with local residents.

"As a consultation it is a joke," Coun Long said. "There is no way anyone could guess from that that it would lead to the potential closure of two libraries. How can the council expect to get any reasonable comment?

"There may be more nasty surprises in the budget waiting to jump out on us."

The council is investigating ways for Wilford Library to be run by volunteers in a bid to avert its closure.

The future of Beechdale Library has been uncertain for some time. Residents have gathered 2,000 signatures on a petition to persuade the city council to keep it open.

Coun Long told a meeting of the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee he believed the misleading line in the budget papers was "more cock-up than conspiracy".

But Beechdale resident Joyce Eddyshaw, 70, did not think so.

Mrs Eddyshaw, a regular user of the library, said: "You can't say from [the papers] they are going to close the library. They want to save money. They are trying to cover themselves."

But Coun Graham Chapman, deputy leader of the city council, said the library plans "were no secret". He said: "There is a separate consultation over the libraries. I understand the criticisms."

In a statement, Coun David Trimble, portfolio holder for culture, said: "Our aim is to invest in fewer but better facilities.

"The city council is looking at the future of Beechdale Road and Wilford libraries, with a view to closing Beechdale Road Library and investing savings in developing Bilborough Library, and transferring Wilford Library to the local community to be run by volunteers.

"No decisions have been made on either options and full consultation on both suggestions will begin in the near future."

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk