Agenda item

The appendices to this report are contained in the supplementary document pack to this agenda.

 

 

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities on the outcome of the public consultation and subsequent engagement activity held in four communities (Barwell, Braunstone Town, Mountsorrel and Narborough) regarding alternative library provision and progress made with regard to Kirby Muxloe library.  A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes.

 

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

 

Mr. Blunt CC welcomed the positive responses received from the consultation which had resulted in positive proposals being received for three of the four libraries.  Mr Blunt said that whilst it was now recommended that Barwell library be closed and replaced with a mobile service, as no viable bid had been received, he would be very pleased if the local community managed to submit a fresh proposal within the next 12 months and, if a new bid was submitted, it would be given careful consideration.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the outcome of the consultation and its findings be noted;

 

(b)       That the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

 

(c)       That, noting that no viable plans in line with the County Council’s offer have been received:

 

(i)            Barwell library be closed and replaced with a mobile library service at locations informed by the results of the consultation, and that officers seek the agreement of the George Ward Centre (GWC) in Barwell to support and manage the provision of community access to IT facilities from a suitable space within the GWC;

(ii)          The Barwell Community nevertheless be advised that at any time during the next 12 months, should a fresh proposal for library provision in the village come forward, it will be given due consideration by the County Council;

(iii)         The new outline business case received for Braunstone Town library be fully assessed and recommendations be made to the Cabinet on 19 April 2016;

 

(iv)       Further lease discussions be undertaken with the landlord of the Mountsorrel library premises and other relevant parties and recommendations be made to the Cabinet on 19 April 2016;

 

(v)        A deadline of 31 March 2016 be set for the submission of an outline business plan for Narborough library from the local community group and recommendations be made to the Cabinet on 19 April 2016;

 

(d)       That the Director of Adults and Communities in consultation with the County Solicitor be authorised to determine whether, and if so in what form, any further consultation should take place with regard to Kirby Muxloe library following the receipt of further legal advice.

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

The Council has a statutory obligation to ensure provision of a comprehensive and efficient library service.  It has sought to enable and facilitate the ongoing provision, wherever possible, of library services by closer working with communities and other providers, whilst at the same time sustaining the countywide infrastructure to enable it to meet both its statutory obligations and budget challenges.  In November 2014 the Cabinet agreed, inter alia, a delivery model for its library services and a support package for community libraries. 

 

Barwell library is situated within the GWC, a community centre.  The local group that previously submitted an outline business plan that was approved by the Council has withdrawn its plans as they feel unable to guarantee the library’s long term future financial sustainability. Consequently there is no viable plan to progress community management of the library.

 

Since the closure of the consultation, a staff-based social enterprise has come forward with an outline proposal for the future operation of Braunstone Town library that appears to be compliant with the County Council’s support package.  It has not yet been possible to conclude the assessment of the viability of the proposal as further discussions with the employees of the social enterprise is required prior to a recommendation to accept or reject the outline business plan.

 

Constructive discussions with the landlord of the Mountsorrel library are currently ongoing which may present an opportunity for the Mountsorrel War Memorial Trust, or a similar body, formed by the landlord to take over the running of the library in the spirit of the intention behind the County Council’s support package.  It is hoped that these discussions will be sufficiently advanced to enable a recommendation to the Cabinet at its meeting in April.

 

Significant local community activity in Narborough has resulted in a very positive response and a local group is forming with a view to manage the library based upon the County Council’s support package.  There is a high degree of confidence that this group will be able to put forward a viable plan to manage the library by the end of March 2016.

 

Kirby Muxloe Parish Council has formally withdrawn its plans to manage Kirby Muxloe library.  There are a number of legal issues surrounding the lease that the County Council has for Kirby Muxloe library and further legal advice is being taken to resolve them.