Issue - meetings

Bath Central Library is one of our 3 main Libraries and is part of our overall strategic review of the Modern Library Agenda in which we are seeking to integrate our Library and One Stop Shop (OSS) services.

Following an appraisal of the potential options, a review of local needs and public consultation on design, this report and the attached papers sets out the reasoning for the recommendation to consult on two options for integrating Bath Library and OSS services in one location.

Councillor Dine Romero started her statement by asking the Cabinet why had already dismissed three options out of five before local residents had their say on their preferences.  Councillor Dine Romero also said that the Cabinet had not explored other options to deliver £800k in savings and urged the Cabinet to pause the consultation and consider other options for the Podium library.

Councillor Richard Samuel said that two of the least desirable options had been highlighted.  Councillor Richard Samuel expressed his concerns about the consultation and felt that the Council would have to borrow the money in order to achieve some savings, and urged the Cabinet to end this scheme.

Councillor Joe Rayment said that political circumstances had changed nationally and urged the Leader of the Council to ask central government for a financial support for libraries.

Councillor Tim Warren said that the Council had made provision for a capital budget of £5.953m plus £0.773m identified balances (a total of £6.726m overall) in order to deliver the modern libraries programme with focus on the delivery of integrated Library and One Stop Shop services in Bath.  The proposed scope of works for each of the two options was described within the business case. The capital costs used in the analysis were derived using standard rates and calculations were only on the assumption that all integrated services would be delivered from each site. No design had been developed at this stage. This had been done in order to assess and confirm assumptions on indicative costs and timescale.  The design work would commence on the chosen option once the budget is approved later this year.

On a request from Councillor Tim Warren, Andrew Pate (Strategic Director Resources) explained that the Council was well protected under the lease, as explained in the Appendix 2 of the report. 

Councillor Tim Warren moved the recommendations as printed.

Councillor Paul Myers seconded the motion by welcoming the consultation scheme which would be of the community benefit. 

Councillor Charles Gerrish highlighted a success of the Keynsham Library which has integrated with One Stop Shop.  Councillor Charles Gerrish also said that savings set by Library Services were integral part of the budget.

Councillor Karen Warrington said that this Cabinet had been proactive in keeping libraries open whilst other Council had had to close their libraries, and also highlighted a success of Keynsham Libraries integration with One Stop Shop.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

2.1  Note and be cognisant of the Business Case and the appendices, in particular the consultation proposals at appendix F (1, 2 & 3).

2.2  Approve the proposed consultation approach as set out in Appendix F (1, 2 & 3) in order to determine the preferred option.

2.3  Receive a further report in October which will include consultation findings, a further Equalities Impact Assessment of the selected option to implement and a request to approve capital funding.