Agenda item

The Democratic Services Manager will announce any submissions received. The Council will be invited to decide what action it wishes to take, if any, on the matters raised in these submissions. As the questions received and the answers given will be circulated in written form there is no requirement for them to be read out at the meeting. The questions and answers will be published with the draft minutes.

The Chairman referred to the questions from the public, and responses provided, which had been circulated to the meeting and attached to the online minutes.

Statements were made by the following people;

Paul Stansall made a statement opposing the proposed changes to the Library service and calling for a full business case to be prepared before any decisions were made.  Further details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether Paul was aware that the final decision had not been made and was still subject to consultation before coming to Cabinet, Paul confirmed that he was aware but that key detail needed to be identified early in the process.  Councillor Sarah Bevan asked Paul if, in his professional opinion, there were aspects of the proposals that concerned him, to which he responded that there were and he considered they contravened building regulations. The Chairman thanked Paul for his statement.

Yue Rao made a statement about her use of Bath Central Library and expressing her reasons to oppose any plans to relocate or reduce the library service.  As a taxpayer, Yue felt that her taxes should go towards funding public services such as libraries, which in her experience were very well used.  She felt the location of Bath Central Library was ideal and was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough space to accommodate the current number of library users in Lewis House.  In response to a question from Councillor Dine Romero about Yue’s needs being adequately accommodated in the new space, Yue reiterated her view that there would not be enough space for students and professionals.  Councillor John Bull asked Yue where she had heard that the relocated library would be closed on Sundays, to which she responded that she had surmised that it would be the same arrangement as with the One Stop Shop. The Chairman thanked Yue for her statement.

Alex Lea, a Year 7 pupil at Ralph Allen school, made a statement opposing any change to Bath Central Library and explaining why he considered libraries and reading to be so important to young people.  Further details can be read in Alex’s statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes. Alex also presented  a petition  ‘Save Bath Library’ with over 5000 signatures.  Councillor Tim Warren asked Alex if he was aware that plans were for the library to be open 7 days a week to which he replied that he was.  In response to a question from Councillor Joe Rayment about whether Alex would ever forgive the Council if Bath Central Library was moved, he replied that he would not.  The Chairman thanked Alex for his statement.

Professor David Almond made a statement in support of the valuable role libraries had played in his life and how they continued to do so in the lives of children all over the world. He countered the myth that modern children don’t read and shared his experience from travelling extensively as a children’s author, that children read voraciously.  He stated that any move to diminish the service or reduce stock was a backwards step to a vitally important resource at the heart of the city. He urged Councillors not to go ahead.  Councillor Tim Warren asked where Professor Almond had heard that the number of books would be reduced to which Professor Almond responded that he had heard that books would be accessible online and then clarified that he had come to believe that the stock would be reduced.  Councillor Dine Romero asked if Professor Almond had evidence of the impact of click and collect rather than free roaming on children’s literacy.  Professor Almond responded that there was evidence in schools that those with a library and librarian found the standards in the school increased.  Councillor John Bull asked if Professor Almond’s comments also extended to branch libraries threatened with closure, to which he responded that they did and reiterated his view that we absolutely need local libraries. The Chairman thanked Professor Almond for his statement.

Andy Halliday, former Manager of Bath Central Library, made a statement describing various improvements to the library that had been made over the last few years following consultation, resulting in National Awards. He urged the Council not to go ahead with this move which, in his view, would decimate the service. Further details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  Councillor Dine Romero asked Andy how much of a reduction to the total staff was 25 staff members to which he responded that he understood there were 75 staff equating to 42 FTEs.  Councillor Tim Warren asked if Andy was aware that the proposed staff cut was not solely from library staff, Andy responded that that was not what he had read and that it wasn’t clear.  Councillor Robin Moss asked, in Andy’s professional opinion, how many staff would be needed to recruit, train and support the volunteers.  Andy replied that he didn’t know but gave examples of how volunteers were supported at Saltford and Paulton libraries. Councillor Sarah Bevan asked for Andy’s view of which sections of the community might stop visiting the library if the move was to take place.  Andy replied that he feared that a move might prevent those with physical difficulties and/or those who needed to park nearby.  The Chairman thanked Andy for his statement.

Kim Sherwood, an author and senior lecturer, explained that she had moved to Bath because of its cultural identity. She expressed concern that the service was being diminished, which she considered would deter creative professionals from locating here.  She commented that the numbers given about equivalent space did not add up and gave examples to demonstrate this view.  She explained her view that, on a proper analysis, the new space at Lewis House would be approximately half the size. She urged Councillors not to vote for this which would cause lasting damage to Bath.  Councillor Tim Warren asked if Kim was aware that a final decision would be subject to a full business case and planning approval; to which Kim responded that she hoped it would, although she was puzzled that more preparatory work had not already taken place.  Councillor Joe Rayment asked if Kim was aware that the decision to set the budget envelope tonight would mean there was little option to vary plans after tonight, to which she replied that she was. The Chairman thanked Kim for her statement.

Moira Young, a published author, made a statement referring to the recently published DCMS National Strategy for Libraries and highlighted various points such as visitor numbers exceeding cinema, football and top UK attraction visits, the need for Councils to inform DCMS about proposals prior to engagement and produce a rigorous impact analysis and the need for co-creation with the local community.  She gave examples of where this had successfully taken place in other towns.  Councillor Tim Warren asked if Moira was aware of actual library closures taking place in neighbouring Authorities, to which she replied that the Council should consider a range of options including moving the One Stop Shop to the Podium.  Councillor Dine Romero asked for further comparison of the proposed move to the One Stop Shop compared to a facility such as The Hive in Worcester.  Moira explained that The Hive was a world class venue, which could be done here with the knowledge, good will and experience available.  Councillor John Bull asked if Moira’s comments also related to branch libraries and she confirmed that they did.  The Chairman thanked Moira for her statement.

Oscar Ward read a statement from Jake Bishop-Ponte who had been unable to attend the meeting concerning the proposed 50% cut to Youth Services which would leave the Youth Service unfit for use.  He commented that this would disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged.  The statement concluded with the resignation of Jake as a member of the Youth Parliament.  Councillor Dine Romero asked if Oscar was aware that the Liberal Democrats were also opposed to these cuts, to which he replied that he was.  Councillor Joe Rayment asked Oscar to give an example of how he considered this Administration were not listening to young people to which Oscar responded that by making these cuts now, they were not considering the longer term impacts of pushing young people into anti-social behaviour and the associated costs of dealing with that.  Councillor Sarah Bevan asked Oscar if he would agree that these proposals were discriminatory to one section of the community, a view with which he wholeheartedly agreed. The Chairman thanked Jake for his statement.

Amber Sims made a statement as a user of the Youth Services from the age of 12 to 23 (and continuing).  She explained it had been invaluable in building her confidence and giving her vital skills in building relationships, healthy eating etc.  She had been able to access vital support and felt that without this service being available, mental health and safeguarding issues would go unnoticed.  Councillor Liz Hardman asked Amber if she thought that future generations would be affected by this; to which Amber responded that without this service, young people would not be able to access vital support from Youth Workers.  Councillor Sarah Bevan asked about the number of young people attending Youth clubs, to which Amber responded there were loads.  The Chairman thanked Amber for her statement.

Adam Reynolds made a statement about trust between the Council, organisations and residents when looking at transport solutions for London road, and elsewhere across B&NES.  He quoted figures from the Cabinet Member about London road usage but asked specifically for a modal split of cycling numbers per ward so that individual Councillors could plan on the most appropriate transport solution for their area.  He also made reference to the built environment and transport solutions having an effect on future obesity figures and gave some statistics to support this.  Councillor Lisa Brett asked if Cycle Bath had developed any proposals for the £200,000 allocated to the London Road project to which Adam responded that a Sustrans study had demonstrated a clear need for an east running protected cycle lane, which could be done with the removal of 23 on street parking spaces.  Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked specifically about transit for cyclists through Kingsmead Square and Dorchester Street to which Adam responded that it was better to look at people flow but he hoped more work could be done for Dorchester Street and stressed again the need for solutions to be locally based.  The Chairman thanked Adam for his statement.