MORAY Council budget day was to bring joy for users of Cullen library when it was saved from closure. The facility had originally been earmarked for the chop as part of council cost-cutting plans but earned an 11th-hour reprieve. Keith-Cullen Conservative councillor Donald Gatt said: “I am heartily glad that Cullen library has been saved for the local community and I would encourage everyone to make full use of the facility. “I hope that ongoing transformation work within the Moray Council improves the financial position of the council and that we are not faced with a recurrence of threats to services in 12 months’ time. “A fairer funding deal from the Scottish government is however urgently required.” Councillor Ron Shepherd said: “I’m delighted that the library has been saved for the next year, it’s a very important amenity. “I’d urge people to make as much use of the library and its services as possible over the next year.” Councillor Theresa Coull said: “I am delighted that we were able to keep this facility open for the
people of Cullen as a library is really important; a library is not just about books but has a social aspect as well as providing information and technology. “However, due to the hard work of the administration group and the council finance department we realised that we were able to make changes in our proposals to keep Cullen library open, which as the
councillor for Cullen I am absolutely delighted to see.” Cullen and Deskford Community Council chairman Stewart Black added: “We wish to thank everybody who worked to secure the future of the library in Cullen for the upcoming financial year. “We hope this isn’t a stay of execution but a realisation that some services have to be retained to provide for those who find it difficult to travel further afield.”