Issue - items at meetings - Fees & Charges 2017/18 – Library Service

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

RESOLVED:

1)        That the committee approves the fees and charges for Libraries and Information Services for 2017/18 in Appendix 1.

2)        That the committee grants delegated authority for officers to negotiate hire fees where commercially necessary outside the approved fees & charges.

47.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing in relation to Fees & Charges 2017/18 – Library Service. The report presented the review of fees and charges for the Libraries and Information Services and the changes would be implemented from April 2017.

47.2    Councillor Peltzer Dunn welcomed the report and noted he understood the necessity to increase fees and charges; however, he did not support the reintroduction of overdue fees for children, he expressed concern that this might deter some parents from letting their children borrow from the library, as they might incur fees. He also noted that the option for staff discretion could put some staff in a difficult position.

47.3    Councillor Allen requested further information on the Booklover’s Store after the meeting. In response to further questions from Councillor Allen it was explained that generally when books were requested the library would buy them; inter-library loans were used largely when it was not possible to buy a book any longer, or where there would be very little demand for the book if purchased. Whilst the actual costs to the service for inter-library loans was £18.15, the library charged a flat fee of £7 and it was general practice for most libraries not to seek to recover the full costs of inter-library loans.

47.4    Councillor Druitt noted that some fees were 100% for concessionary cardholders, and argued more should be done for services users that qualified for concessionary rates. He noted that the Green Group would abstain on recommendation 1. In response Councillor Cattell noted that where the rate was 100% for concessionary card holders it had been at the level for some years, Councillor Druitt responded that his point had been to argue that a more progressive fees policy could be considered.

47.5    In response to Councillor Nemeth it was clarified that the libraries generally bought items that were requested; however, the report now proposed that the service cease notifying people when this item was in stock, and they instead pay a reservation fee. The Council was a member of the South East Library Management System (SELMS), the largest consortium of this nature in Europe; this consortium offered its members a free lending service, the chances of being able to borrow within the group were high and reduced the instances where it was necessary to use inter-library loans outside of the group. Lending across authorities was reviewed to ensure no one authority was disproportionately impacted and required financial compensation; however, on the whole lending was fairly even across the consortium.

47.6    In response to Councillor Morris it was explained that the exhibition spaces varied from library to library, there were costs in preparing the spaces so it was important to ensure that the libraries recovered these. In response to a further query from Councillor Taylor it was confirmed that these changes would be reviewed to ensure they raised the intended funds.

47.7    Councillor Peltzer Dunn moved an amendment to remove paragraph 3.10 from the report, namely the reintroduction of late library fees for children. This was seconded by Councillor Nemeth.

47.8    The Chair put the proposed amendment to the vote; the vote was tied with 5 in support and 5 against, the Chair exercised his casting vote to defeat the amendment.

47.9    The Chair then put the substantive recommendation to the vote. Recommendation 1) was carried with 8 in support and 2 abstentions, and Recommendation 2) was carried unanimously.

47.10  RESOLVED:

1)        That the committee approves the fees and charges for Libraries and Information Services for 2017/18 in Appendix 1.

2)        That the committee grants delegated authority for officers to negotiate hire fees where commercially necessary outside the approved fees & charges.