Medway Council has confirmed it is looking into a charity’s offer of support for libraries, amid financial difficulties.

Libraries Connected has offered cash-strapped councils help to try to protect library services.

They say the support will be available to councils that submit section 114 notices, effectively declaring bankruptcy, or those which have to drastically cut library services to avoid an S114.

On January 4, the charity launched a programme for authorities looking at cutting services.

Medway Council faces a predicted budget overspend of £12 million which it has to balance by February, with further overspends predicted for the next financial year.

Cost-cutting and cost-saving measures will be necessary to reduce the overspend which has already been seen in the Towns, such as removing free parking Mondays and some council tax relief on second homes, outsourcing Christmas lights, and reducing agency staff.

Medway Council has confirmed it is considering the scheme which may suggest libraries will receive less money in the upcoming budget.

In November, Cllr Harinder Mahil (Lab), portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said at a regeneration, culture, and environment overview and scrutiny committee that difficult decisions would have to be made in order to make savings.

He could not guarantee money for services like libraries or events like Rochester Sweeps Festival and Chatham Carnival would not be affected, as all options for savings were on the table.

Financial pressures are unlikely to go away anytime soon as council leader Vince Maple said the settlement for the coming financial year, announced in December, which sets out how much money the authority has to spend, was not enough. He claimed central government was not listening to concerns at a local level.

Libraries Connected is concerned about the number of councils filing S114s and said libraries are often the most at risk services.

It will step in to help struggling authorities by offering a confidential peer network so heads of library services can share experiences and expertise; a resource library of guidance, templates and case studies; training including webinars and in-person workshops; and communications support to help libraries navigate tough times.

Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: "While we recognise that no service can be fully protected, there are clear economic and social reasons why libraries should be safeguarded.

“Libraries have a demonstrable long-term impact on literacy, health, employment, digital inclusion and many more outcomes. They are also a cost-effective and efficient means to deliver a range of council services within communities.

“Our new support programme will help library leaders make that case to senior officers, elected members and government-appointed commissioners.

"Ultimately the council funding crisis cannot be solved without a fair, long term financial settlement for local government.

“Until then, we are ready to work with local authorities to deliver the best possible library service within the financial constraints they face."

Medway Council will set out its budget at the end of February, outlining how its funding will be allocated across all the services it needs to provide.

Before then it also needs to reduce the £12 million projected overspend to avoid an S114 notice, which would see the government step in and introduce cost-cutting measures to reduce spending on all but essential services.

Councillors and officers have previously been clear they expect to reduce the overspend and avoid a S114 notice.