Agenda item

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Martin Veal will be taking part in a discussion about the proposals that are being considered for Bath Libraries.  

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Martin Veal provided the meeting with an update in Bath Library Services

There has been much debate given from across many directorate portfolios to provide suggestions, a lot of time and effort has gone into putting together the proposals. The proposals in part are due to Lewis House being owner by The Council and The Podium is a leased space.

The proposals have taken into account the success that Keynsham has indicated to us with the One Stop Shop. Statistics show us that there was a fall of 11% of active users in Bath while there was a corresponding 12% increase in Keynsham because of the way that facilities are provided. There are examples of what the new modern space could look like on our website and in the room tonight.

This is not a closure and it is recognised that this going to be a ‘one size fits all’ solution. What is proposed will ensure residents can access a modern library service and have access to a One Stop Shop in one place. We need to co-locate libraries with community service to ensure we can continue to provide a modern library service. All existing services will still be available in the new modern library. We welcome all constructive and challenging points.

The three million books will still be accessible just as they are now, events will continue to be hosted and there will be modern computers and fast Wi-Fi available. A more modern location will mean more modern and contained facilities for small children. All this information and more details are available on our website which went live yesterday.

Modernising the library service will contribute £800,000 per year as we move forward. £200,000 per year will be saved by relocating from the Podium Space. 

The Podium location was not purpose built and originally it was intended for use as law courts, the public rejected to that idea when it was proposed.

There's a lot of misinformation out there, we welcome as much input as you can give us to help us achieve what the community wants. 

Divisional Director for Customer Services, Ian Savigar provided further detail

In September/October 2016 all five Connecting Community Forums received a presentation on the challenges facing the Library Service. The review has been looking at other library services in and outside of Bath.

The Keynsham development gave us the opportunity to look at what other authorities have been doing, good practice and carried of lots of research.

Children and families are biggest users of the library service; the designs are open to creating bigger family and children spaces to cater for this.

In creating an integrated space we want to make sure that we are providing for the right skills and those applicants applying for jobs in B&NES. The PC usage in libraries at present is full at most times. 

We are at the early stage of the changes that we need to make, this is tear one of three. The early consultation was criticised, it is important to us that we get this stage of consultation right. We have launched the consultation on the website and will be making paper questionnaires available next week.

Questions

1.  Councillor Dine Romero suggests the council just talks at people rather than seeks views

Response – We welcome all constructive comments and challenges, you have every opportunity to feed into this process and your suggestions, if they work, will be used. We will adapt and certainly get impact from the community; we will look at how we can accommodate people.

2.  Councillor Joe Rayment asked if there will be fewer books on shelfs. I don't think people want an Argos library where you browse books on a library.

You say staff will be expected to two jobs, will this be trained librarians?

There is no option for the other branch libraries in Bath to be run democratically by the people as there are no Parish Councils in Bath. 

Response – The actual books on site will be decided be the results of the consultation, the full range will still be available through order and reserve.

The roles of staff are changing and we have a good track record in dealing with the public across all existing areas.

3.  Councillor Andrew Furse asked how the balancing between The Podium and Lewis House works.

Response – Staff will be displaced from Lewis House, we have a workplaces programme that looks to relocate. The move will produce some additional lettable space that income can be generated from. This is a £5.8 million capital programme and proper process must be followed.

4.  Rosie Phillips asked if the annual savings amount to £800K.

Response – Yes

5.  Chris Roche asked has the Council made any agreement with any 3rd parties about the Podium and is there a break down on the costs for The Podium and Lewis House?

Response – Nothing has been signed.

Raw figures do exist on the broken down costs, these have been presented to Cabinet.

6.  Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall asked how consultation is to be carried out on the local branch libraries in Weston and Moorland Road.

Response – The timescales are different, an example from Paulton is that the Parish Council is taking on the library and funding will be through the parish precept.

7.  Councillor Dine Romero explained that when doing a consultation on local branches the adjoining ward areas that use the facilities need to be included.

What alternatives were considered for Bath Central Library?

Response – Alternatives were considered, a full response to this question is to be issued at a later date.

8.  Michael Norton commented that nobody is losing a library here; the Council never once said there was never going to be a library. Some of response has been unfairly misinterpreted. Why has there been so much animosity? Is it that people simply don't like change?

Response - Martin Veal explained that we are offering a "creative way forward", we are right at the very beginning of this process.

Comments can be made on the website, this is part of an ongoing process - it is forward thinking, we have considered it for a long time. You cannot have strong governments without decent opposition and at least we have decent opposition that are challenging us on this and quite rightly to.

9.  Adam Reynolds welcomed that the library will be situated closer to the transport hub.

Would the overall floor space be a net loss or gain?

Response – The public space will be arranged differently, the like for like space is likley to be almost the same when all considerations are taken into account.  The car park on Manver’s Street provides an opportunity to improve disabled access.

10.Ben Howlett welcomed the assurances that have been given; this proposal has been well challenged. It would be good to see that alternatives for the movement of B&NES Officers to the Podium are being considered as this is a difficult sell.

Response - This is a viable business plan and the full response will be provided. We need to also consider other public agencies that work with the Council and require partner working space