Issue - meetings

1.  The performance of the Library Services contract delivered by the operator Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) as detailed within this report be noted;

2.  The detail of contract modifications applied to the Library Services contract to date, summarised in paragraph 3.17 Tables 1 & 2 and detailed in Appendix 2 be noted;

3.  Contract modifications to the Library Services contract relating to the Library Repair programme at an overall estimated value of £1,133k as set out in paragraphs 3.18 to 3.22 be approved noting that there is no additional funding requirement; and,

4.  It be noted that further contract modifications to the Library Services contract are expected, linked to the Library Repair programme, and are asked to approve the scheme of delegation to manage future contract modifications as set out in paragraphs 3.23 to 3.29.

Report HPR2024/023

The report set out contract modifications applied to the contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited to provide library services to date and sought approval to regularise these in line with the Council’s procedures, as well as for further contract modifications related to the Library Repair Programme. The report also sought approval for a scheme of delegation to manage future contract modifications.

In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Culture explained that the internal cleanliness of library facilities was monitored with a Key Performance Indicator (KPI).  There was no KPI for the upkeep of the external building and site, but arrangements were in place to keep library sites tidy including regular window cleaning and clearing debris, such as fallen leaves.  A Members asked that the full list of KPIs be provided to Members following the meeting as well as be included in future performance reporting and this was supported by the Committee.  Another Member was pleased to note that Start Up Bromley had attracted 611 more members and further information on the number of service users would be provided to Members following the meeting.  The Chairman queried the quality of internet provision at Bromley libraries following some recent outages and a representative of Greenwich Leisure Limited said that the rollout of dark fibre internet was anticipated to significantly improve the reliability of internet provision going forward.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations in the report be supported.