Decision details
Community Run Libraries Programme – approval of applications January 2019
Decision Maker: Director Partnership & Corporate Services
Decision status: Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The Community Run Library Programme objectives
were set out in the Cabinet paper E3000 dated 23/11/2017. The
proposals will enable the Council to start to realise savings
targets set by the Community Libraries Programme through reduced
revenue costs. The Council will award £5,000 towards each
applicant in accordance with the agreed criteria.
In addition, the Council will use its ‘Enabling Fund’
to support transitional costs for the Branch Library as well as
making available unwanted equipment and furniture to all applicants
where appropriate. This will be dealt with on a case by case basis
and as appropriate.
All applications meet the relevant criteria and are beneficial to
the local community.
A summary of each proposal is detailed below:-
Moorland Road Community Library Charity (MRCLC) will take over the
running of the library within the existing building from April
2019. The group wish to maintain the current level of service,
offering free internet access, participate in national library
literacy schemes, running small groups for children and a Book Club
for adults as well as events and will make the space available for
hire. The group has a board of trustees and over 60
volunteers.
Larkhall Community library (LCL) was one of the first community
libraries set up over five years ago. The library is open Monday to
Friday from 9am – 3pm. They have a dedicated library room in
Oriel Hall. The Hall is run by a voluntary Management Committee,
they have two part-time staff, with support from a small group of
committed volunteers. Last year they set up a home delivery service
for their library members. This is delivered to two local care
homes and local residents. The grant will be used to extend their
book stock to offer more variety and also include some audio books
including make some improvements to their library room providing a
new floor.
Equalities assessments have been carried out on each application
and further advice has been given where appropriate. Each applicant
will receive Equalities Training as part of the package of training
support provided by the Council as well as on-going support through
the libraries network.
Decision:
An application to run a Community Run Library
has been received including a request for funding from an existing
Community Library. They have been assessed against a number of
criteria which includes: governance, equalities, and community
consultation and have all followed the approved process set out in
the Cabinet Decision E3000 and meet the criteria of the
programme.
To approve the following application and grant requests of
£5,000 towards the set-up of the Community Run Library:
1. Application for the transfer of Moorland Road Branch Library to
Moorland Road Community Library Charity and grant.
2. Grant for an existing Community Library in Larkhall.
The final terms of the agreement for each location will be
finalised in due course.
Alternative options considered:
The objectives for setting up a Community Run
Library were addressed in the Cabinet paper and discussed at length
in a subsequent call in request. All applicants meet the
requirements for a Community Run Library and only one application
was submitted for each location. Other options would be considered
by Cabinet if no applications had been received.
Publication date: 29/01/2019
Date of decision: 21/01/2019