Issue - items at meetings - Library Plan

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached).

46.1    The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive. Sally McMahon, Head of Library Service, introduced the report and explained that it included the results of the Public Consultation that was conducted between November 2015 and February 2016. It was detailed to the Committee that the public survey received a good response with 1,124 responses and all the findings and comments collected were published on the website.

46.2    The Head of Library Services noted that some concerns were raised in the comments and these were being collated into a paper. The main concern related to the public wanting more detail about the Library Plan.

46.3    It was explained to the Committee that any potential disposal of the current Hove Library building would be subject to further evaluation and a report would be brought to the Policy & Resources Committee for approval. It was added that the moving of Hove Library to Hove Museum would save Brighton & Hove City Council an estimated £350,000 per year, plus the on-going maintenance and repairs needed currently estimated at £750,000. The Head of Library Service explained that if Hove Library were to remain in its current location, the estimated saving would need to be found elsewhere within the library service.

46.4    In response to Councillor C Theobald, the Head of Library Service explained that when the library changes were reviewed, monitoring work would be undertaken to ensure the new library system was meeting the needs of the library users.

46.5    The Head of Library Services clarified to Councillor Peltzer Dunn that the missing 9% of transport user statistics were library users using taxis, or they did not answer the question. It was also noted that they wished to create an outside space at Hove Museum, which was linked to the museum and library complex, to have activities for children.

46.6    It was confirmed that the questions were drafted by Council Officers, the Head of Library Services included, and staff that had expertise in consultations. The questionnaire was comprised of multiply choice questions and four open ended questions for more detailed responses.

46.7    In response to Councillor Druitt, it was explained that Libraries & Information Services would have to reduce expenditure, like all departments within the Council. It was expressed that the timing was challenging as the budget had already been set for 2016/17; however, it was noted that they wished to give the public a full three months of consultation.

46.8    The Head of Library Services explained that she was of the view that the public would be willing to volunteer to support the libraries; therefore, ensuring longer opening hours. It was stated that 292 people, who took part in the consultation, expressed an interest to volunteer on the anonymous survey and the libraries already used 170 volunteers.

46.9    In response to the Chair, it was clarified that if the Hove Library didn’t move to the Hove Museum site, the saving would be the equivalent to the closure of five to seven community libraries.

46.10  Councillor Yates noted that the decision in relation to the Hove Library move would be decided at a Policy & Resources Committee and the Planning Committee would have to agree the plans that proposed any significant changes to the Carnegie building. It was added that the recommendations were to note the outcome of the consultation and agree to refer the report to the next Full Council meeting.

46.11  It was also commented that libraries resources should not be focused to central Brighton and Hove as services were needed across the city. Councillor Yates explained that if he would choose to move one library, instead of closing five to seven community libraries as it was important that residents across the city could retain library access.

46.12  Councillor Druitt noted his view that there was a large amount in the report that he supported, including; the modernisation of the service; extended opening hours; the use of community hubs. He also questioned whether there was an alternative to keep Hove Library in the Carnegie building, for instance, using the money from the Kings House sale.

46.13  Councillor C Theobald stated that the Carnegie building was historic with listed fixtures, and it should be made a recommendation to ensure these were retained.

46.14  Councillor Nemeth referenced that the report stated the amount of space for library service delivery will reduce by about 15%, but this included flexible space. He added that if this was not included in the statistics, more space from either the new library or the museum could be lost and this could lead to an given more greatly reduced service, therefore he could not support the Officer recommendations.

46.15  Councillor Robins noted that Members should consider the plan as a whole rather than support parts and not others. He expressed that budget savings needed to be made from within the.

46.16  The Chair concluded the debate and stated that he had respect for all those that had campaigned to keep the building. He noted that the Library Plan included extended hours and no library closures; therefore, would be supporting the recommendations.

46.17  The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

46.18  RESOLVED –

1)    That the Committee agreed to note the results of the public consultation as outlined in the report.

2)    That the Committee agreed to recommend that the Libraries Plan 2016-2020, and the changes to Library Services proposed as part of this Plan, as contained in the appendix to the report, and outlined in brief in section 3 with amendments in section 6, are referred to Full Council for adoption.