Decision details

To consider the report on the outcomes of the public consultation on the future of the library service; agree the way forward and savings targets for that service for 2012-2013 to 2014-2015.

The committee discussed the changes proposed to Cabinet for the Library Service at some length. The Director for Social & Community Services, John Jackson, gave a comprehensive presentation on the Cabinet report. He explained how proposals had changed, taking into account:

• Public reaction to initial proposals a year ago and responses to the consultation over the summer
• Additional resources available as reflected in February’s council budget
• Library service legislation now tested in court

The council had now defined that its ‘comprehensive and efficient network’ of library provision was made up of 22 core libraries. No alternative definition had been put forward, except the suggestion to base it on usage figures rather than need.

John Jackson noted that the Wirral case suggested a comprehensive and efficient network should be based on need not current usage; a wide range of factors influenced usage figures of any given library. The case also showed that clear robust criteria should apply across all libraries without exception. In terms of the concerns expressed about the council’s data analysis, he referred to the full response made available on the website and included as Annex 6 of the Cabinet report.

He offered a detailed overview of the costs of the library service, concluding that genuine back office functions made up less than 10% of the overall cost of the service - a comparable figure to other authorities.

In response to suggestions that reductions should be shared across the whole service, officers had advised that the core network should be resourced properly. The introduction of self-service had also brought savings in these 22 libraries.

However, the council wished to see the other 21 libraries remain open as valued community assets. It proposed to continue funding these, 81% of the costs of community and community plus libraries, and ensure they had full access to the library system. The proposals included an increase in the proportion of paid staff to volunteers, at an additional cost of £67,000. It was noted that it was up to town and parish councils to decide if they wanted to provide additional funding through their precept.

Karen Warren gave further details on how the council was, and proposes to, train and support library volunteers. She noted that there already were 140 active volunteers and 24 in process of being trained. Training would be mostly in-house and where this was not possible, e.g. with First Aid and Fire, it would be held as locally as possible. Support could be tailored for individual libraries and guidance would be light-touch. There would be clear support and a communication tree for any cases of lone working, where this could not be avoided. Officers were confident that volunteering in a library would be an attractive option and the service would be able to attract and retain sufficient volunteers. 461 potential volunteers had come forward in the consultation.

During the subsequent debate, members raised further questions and sought clarity and reassurance in a number of areas. These included support for volunteers, cost of CRB checks, qualifications and pay of library staff, rural need, the mobile library service, the ability to work with individual libraries (including those located in schools) to tailor proposals and future housing growth.

In conclusion, members thanked the Cabinet Member and all the officers for their work throughout the consultation, attending numerous public meetings and responding to a large number of communications. Members were also appreciative that local concerns had been listened to and that current proposals were positive:

• All libraries are to remain open
• Roll out of self-service will be easier to use for volunteers
• Increased proportion of staff in community and community plus libraries than previously proposed
• Implementation over a period of time, giving greater opportunity to develop solutions appropriate to each library
• Quantitative data to be reviewed on a four year basis or sooner if circumstances dictate (as noted in the recommendations to Cabinet)

Points that came out of the committee’s discussion to be taken forward included:

• Officers to ensure that suggestions for potential further savings, including those made by friends groups, through sharing resources with neighbouring authorities or further collocation are explored
• Officers to ensure that when proposals are implemented they are fine-tuned to local circumstances with communities concerned
• Scrutiny to ensure the Library Service continues to remain on its forward plan as proposals are implemented
• Officers to look into potential opportunities to bid for one-off funding where appropriate

In summary, most members were satisfied that concerns raised had been answered fully by the officers present. Councillor Lilly proposed and on a vote by a show of hands, the majority supported the recommendations being put to Cabinet in the afternoon by eight votes to two.