Issue - meetings

Report DRR15/024

Following a meeting of the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee on 18 November 2014, the Portfolio Holder agreed the strategic approach in relation to proposals for the development of community managed libraries and agreed that market testing of the core library offer be carried out.  Officers were also authorised to undertake formal consultation with library users and staff on the agreed proposals.

The current report updated Members on the outcome of the completed formal consultation and provided further recommendations for the implementation of the Library Strategy.

The Chairman emphasised to members of the public that at the present time there was no proposal to close any of the libraries.  Legally, the Council was fulfilling its obligation to provide library services.  The current proposal related to the development of six community managed libraries and to identifying ways in which the buildings could be saved and the facilities improved. 

In response to correspondence received from Bromley Unite, the Chairman read out a statement which can be viewed at Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

The Chairman reported that libraries were community hubs which did more than just lend books and this was something the Council wished to continue by working in partnership with community groups and organisations. 

Referring to the vulnerability of the public sector equality duty at Mottingham, St Paul's Cray and Southborough, (para.6.6.2, page 78), one Member asked if these three libraries could be transferred into the core library service if the current proposals were not achieved and volunteers were not forthcoming.  The Head of Culture confirmed that the preferred option was for the Council to continue to provide a degree of support whilst allowing access to community management provision.  Sufficient time would be spent with groups to develop business plans for the long-term running of the libraries.

Counsel had advised there was no court guidance pertaining to a limit on travelling distance to libraries; this was a matter for the Council to decide.

Members were provided with a copy of an advertisement placed in local newspapers by the London Borough of Bexley seeking to procure community groups and organisations to manage libraries.  Bromley Council proposed to do the same.  A report on the outcome of this would be submitted for consideration in June (as opposed to July as stated in the report).

Visiting Ward Member for Mottingham, Councillor David Cartwright, thanked officers for providing a comprehensive report and for clarification of certain aspects in which he had concerns.  Councillor Cartwright stated that whilst this was not an easy situation, he understood that the Council was in a difficult financial situation.  Mottingham Library was a community hub which provided an essential service to residents and schoolchildren benefited immensely from the library's IT services.  Community events, activities for the elderly and a plethora of other professionally-run activities regularly took place.  There was significant doubt locally that a community managed library would work i.e. difficulty in finding volunteers and concerns around child protection.  Many residents felt they were given no alternative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97