A consultation to cut the opening hours of our local library and introduce a self-service system has turned my neighbourhood into a hotbed of activism. Whether it’s at the school gates, local cafe or among the dogwalkers in the park there’s seemingly only one topic of conversation.

The community reaction won’t come as a surprise to the council. That library cuts are proposed is a mark of the seriousness of its predicament. But with the pressures of increasing demand in social care and temporary accommodation compounded by inflationary pressures, increased borrowing costs, and salary growth, there aren’t many other places to go.