Issue - items at meetings - Library Plan 2014 - 15

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached)

RESOLVED – (1) That the committee endorses the Libraries Plan for 2014-15 ; and

(2)That the committee refer the plan onto full Council for approval.

7.1       The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive seeking approval to the Libraries Plan 2014-15, which set out the Council’s vision for the service, building on recent successes and outlining the priorities and objectives for the next 18 months, in the context of the overall plans and ambitions for the city as a whole. The Plan demonstrated how Libraries support the Corporate Plan priorities and related to the sustainable Community Strategy - the Connected City. It was noted that under council governance arrangements, the Libraries Plan was one of the key strategic documents that required full council approval.

7.2       The Head of Libraries and Information Services gave a presentation picking out the key points from the Plan and detailing the objectives that had been identified for the future. It was explained that when benchmarked against its Comparator Local Authority Group for 2012-13, Brighton & Hove’s Library Service had provided the best value at £2.68 per visit as opposed to £3.33 for others, was the most popular in terms if visits per head of the population 6.2 as against an average of 4.6, was the second highest for total items of stock and cost 32p per person per week.

7.3       The Head of Libraries and Information Services then went on to explain that the main aims for Libraries for 2014-15 as outlined and out in depth in the Executive Summary and in Library Plan itself were:

·         To develop the role of libraries as community hubs and to work more closely with service providers;

·         To expand partnership arrangements with other agencies and council departments to ensure that people are able to achieve many different things through their local library;

·         To support  health and well being ,reaching out to those who are housebound;

·         To improve digital inclusion, supporting people using the internet, particularly those lacking confidence and skills;

·         To deliver the four Public Library Universal Offers around reading, information, health and digital services;

·         To deliver the role of libraries in encouraging reading as a valuable cultural activity that underpins people’s ability to learn;

·         To improve customer satisfaction through improving library stock and information services, making best use of new technologies and digital resources; and

·         To modernise and deliver value for money through updating library technology reviewing and improving the use of resources and streamlining processes.

7.4       Councillor Hawtree, the Deputy Chair commended the report and the high level of service provided across the city, he noted the high regard in which the service was held by local residents and the on-going initiatives to encourage broader participation residents. The cost of 32p per person per week was excellent. At a time libraries elsewhere in the country were closing and or being de-skilled and run solely by volunteers in some instances, he was very pleased that Brighton and Hove had bucked that trend.

7.5       Councillor Bowden, the Chair also commended the report highlighting the health benefits accruing from regular use of libraries and the social interchange they provided enquiring whether the potential for greater partnership working was being explored with health partners.

7.6       The Head of Libraries and Information Services confirmed that this was one of the avenues which were being actively explored and that this included networking with partners in relation to public health issues amongst others. She had given a presentation at a meeting of the Public Health Commissioners the previous week and it was intended to consult further over the summer with representative groups and service users. The Committee would be updated regarding this additional feedback at its next scheduled meeting. This would then be incorporated into the final version of the Library Plan when it was placed before Full Council for approval at its scheduled meeting in October.

7.7       Councillor Brown referred to the work of the Equal Access Service and asked for information regarding the success and effectiveness of this service and the number of homes it reached. The Head of Libraries and Information Services agreed that this information would be collated following that day’s meeting and would be circulated to Members separately. Councillor Brown also referred to the increasing use of Libraries as community hubs and enquired regarding whether additional income was generated as a result of spaces being hired out to community groups. The Head of Libraries and Information Services confirmed that whilst fees were charged for use of spaces this applied mainly to the Jubilee Library, a number of local libraries e.g., Westdene, were used by local schools on those days when they were not open to the public.

7.8       Councillor Jones stated that he was particularly interested in the “Bookstart” initiative and would like to receive more detailed information about it. The Head of Libraries and Information Services agreed to send further information to Councillor Jones following the meeting.

7.9       Councillor Wealls stated that he had a copy of a CIPFA document setting out comparisons for delivery of this service countrywide, he was unsure however whether the information it contained was up to date. He noted that employee costs seemed to be very high in the City, (the second highest in this authority’s comparator group) and considered it would be helpful for members to receive a break down detailing how this figure was made up. By comparison with other authorities the number of volunteers also seemed low. The Head of the Libraries and Information and Services explained that the latest complete comparison profile for public libraries had been taken from the 2012-13 actual data and 2013-14 estimates. Copies could be made available to any members who wanted them. Whilst Brighton & Hove employee costs were the second highest, this was a comparison of actual costs, without taking account of size of population served, which was often a measure used to make such comparisons more meaningful.

7.10    Councillor Mears enquired regarding the level of support provided for looked after children and regarding the provision of homework clubs The Head of Libraries and Information Services explained that discussions were just beginning with Children’s Services about how Libraries could best support looked after children. From the Autumn term homework advice would be available but would not take the form of designated homework clubs. Councillor Mears also enquired regarding provision at Saltdean Library during any refurbishment of the Lido building in which it was located. It was explained that if necessary suitable alternative arrangements would be put into place.

7.11    Councillor K Norman referred to the home delivery service for those who were elderly/disabled, he considered this was a valuable service. He enquired whether there was a waiting list and whether there were criteria for eligibility. The Head of Libraries and Information Services explained that anyone who is housebound or their carer can receive Home Delivery. Availability of volunteers to deliver the service varied depending on location.

7.12    Councillor Robins commended the initiatives in relation to link with health and wellbeing and encouraging people to remain active and hoped that this would be dovetailed to work being carried out by health partners and others work the city’s older population. The Head of the Libraries and Information Service confirmed that Libraries were already a partner in the various projects around older people in the city.

7.13    Councillor Randall stated that he hoped that there would be additional action around BME young people given that this had been identified by the needs assessment that had taken place.

7.14    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee endorses the Libraries Plan for 2014-15 ; and

(2)That the Committee refer the plan onto full Council for approval.

Note: As the Library Plan was to be the subject of further consultation over the summer it was subsequently agreed that the outcome of that consultation would reported to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee in September 2014 prior to referral to the October 2014 meeting of Full Council in order for the Plan to receive approval.