Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities concerning the work undertaken to implement the Communities and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-2020 and  sought approval to progress a number of actions to enable the next phase of implementation. A copy of the report, marked ‘14’ is filed with these minutes.

 

Members noted the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

 

Mr. Blunt CC said that the proposals outlined in the report would deliver an improved offer for service users as well as make important efficiency savings.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the results of the SMART library pilot at Syston library and the business case for SMART libraries be noted;

 

(b)       That the Director of Adults and Communities be authorised to implement full SMART library technology (Option 2), as outlined in the Business Case attached as Appendix B to the report, where possible, within the following libraries:

 

Ashby de la Zouch, Blaby, Broughton Astley, Birstall, Coalville, Earl Shilton, Glenfield, Hinckley, Loughborough, Lutterworth, Melton Mowbray, Oadby, Shepshed, Wigston Magna

 

(c)        That the options appraisal for the development of a Collections Hub be noted and a full business case be submitted to the Cabinet in 2018 for consideration;

 

(d)       That the Director of Adults and Communities be requested to carry out further work, including any necessary consultation and engagement with partners, stakeholders and service users, to:

 

(i)         Develop a more sustainable and cost-effective delivery model for the Green Plaque Scheme;

 

            (ii)        Develop proposals to decommission the Care Online service;

 

(iii)       Explore the decommissioning or possible development of a new model for the British Museum sponsored Portable Antiquities Scheme;

 

            (iv)       Review the Mobile Library Service to improve efficiency;

 

 

(v)        Explore possibility of transferring the Century Theatre, Coalville, to alternative management;

 

(e)       That it be noted that further reports will be submitted to the Cabinet as appropriate regarding progress with (d) (i)-(v) above;

 

(f)        That it be noted that the current structure of the Communities and Wellbeing Service will need to be revised having regard to the proposed changes outlined in the report;

 

(g)       That, noting the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a further review of the art collections be undertaken with a view to consolidating the collection and achieving efficiency savings.

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

To enable the full implementation of the Communities and Wellbeing Strategy, which has been developed to fulfil statutory duties, meet budgetary requirements and the efficiency targets detailed in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and to provide a basis for the planning, commissioning and delivery of services.

 

The introduction of SMART library technology across the County-funded library network will realise circa £230,000 per annum savings whilst potentially increasing hours of access.  Of the 16 libraries in the network, Market Harborough library is the only library where it is not proposed to have SMART technology installed.  This is due to its layout and shared use arrangements.

 

The creation of a Collections Hub could realise circa £350,000 per annum savings whilst also providing a modern enhanced facility for the area.

 

It is considered that the balance of £750,000 savings can be achieved through a blend of remodelling or decommissioning of the Mobile Library Service, the Green Plaque scheme, the Care Online service, the Portable Antiquities scheme, transferring the Century Theatre and an end point restructuring of the Communities and Wellbeing Service.