Agenda item

Libraries - Update

There is no report on this item, there will be a presentation at the meeting.

Minutes:

Ian Savigar Divisional Director Customer Services, gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

 

·  Where we are now

·  Potential B&NES Library Service Model by 2020

·  Some key facts

·  What is happening

·  Why would we do this?

·  Has the decision been made yet?

·  What can’t things stay the same?

·  Other Libraries

·  Midsomer Norton

·  Current Issues

 

 

The Divisional Director explained that there was no plan to close any libraries and the Council will work with communities. He added that in the early summer, a business case would be submitted to the Cabinet and then there would be a second stage of consultation. Regarding the mobile library service he explained that there have been a few issues over the last few months due to driver illness and vehicle repairs but these have now resolved. Regarding the event space he explained that the rolling stack needs to be repaired. He concluded that savings can be achieved, improvements delivered with a modernized option.

 

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

 

Councillor Bull asked that in the future, slides be provided at an earlier stage.

 

Councillor Gilchrist asked if there will be an equivalent exhibition space in the new configuration. The officer stated that if consultation shows that this is needed then something will be worked out.

 

Councillor Goodman asked if local reference books were being moved to the Guildhall without a formal decision on the Libraries yet. The officer explained that this is a separate issue and not part of the Library proposals.

 

Councillor Butters stated that the usage rate at Bath Library is impressive and a lot of users park in the Waitrose car park, he asked if it was anticipated that the usage would drop if the Library was moved. The officer stated that he did not have information on modes of transport of Library users but that there were car parks near Lewis House (Manvers Street and Southgate). Councillor Butters asked if Manvers Street car park will eventually be removed. The officer stated that there is no plan for this at present. Andrew Pate, Strategic Director for Resources added that if the move does go ahead, parking requirements would have to be taken into account.

 

Councillor Bull asked how much of the proposed savings of £800k applies to the Central Bath Library and also if it is true that some Council staff will be moving to the Podium. The Strategic Director explained that £700k is the target saving in year 3 of the budget plan and that the business plan will detail how much of that relates to Bath Central Library. He explained that there is a provisional sum in the Capital Programme which will enable investment in the Library Service and that this will need to be funded which can only be done by making the service more efficient. The plan is to combine services to reduce staff costs. Councillor Bull asked if a move to Lewis House would make any savings or if the proposed savings would all come from staff costs. The Strategic Director explained that savings would be made by integrating services by putting them at the same location, he added that a decision has not yet been made on what that location will be. Councillor Bull asked what the integration would involve. The Divisional Director explained that in Keynsham work is being done on a generic customer services operating model.

 

Councillor Goodman asked where the Library would go in the time where work is being done to both the buildings in the plan. The officer explained that this detail would be in the business case. The Strategic Director added that some consultation has been done and Lewis House drawings were used but the key point should be emphasized which is the integration of services. Councillor Bull stated that the press release implied a move to Lewis House which has been misleading. The Strategic Director explained that this has been clarified.

 

Councillor Butters asked if there are any figures on the reduction of space, the officer explained that there is no decision yet on which space will be used. Councillor Butters asked about the mobile library service and at what point there will be a balance sheet for Cabinet to consider. The officer explained that there is no plan to stop the mobile library service and that a business case would be submitted to the Cabinet in early summer.

 

Councillor Gladwyn asked about the integration of staff skills and asked if there would still be librarians with their specialist skills. The officer explained that the integration is being trialled in Keynsham and he has found that staff want to learn more skills with changing roles. Councillor Hale asked that disadvantaged people should not be forgotten in the integration plans. The officer explained that this has been one of the strengths in Keynsham in that use of the Library has been encouraged.

 

Councillor Bull stated that the Panel would consider this issue again after the second consultation.