Agenda item

OUTCOME OF THE LIBRARIES BUDGET CONSULTATION FOR 2015/16 AND RECOMMENDATIONS

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources.

Decision:

 

1)    That the contents of the report be noted.

 

2)    That approval be given to the recommendations as set out below, having regard  to the public sector equality duty (outlined at section 4 of the report):

 

(a)  Woodsend Library - Increasing the use of technology at libraries; specifically Open + technology at Woodsend Library and as a consideration in other Libraries subject to redevelopment.

 

(b)  Coppice Library - that the Council partner with other organisations and community groups to continue to provide access to library services at Coppice Library, specifically blueSCI.

 

(c)  Timperley Library – that the Council proceeds with further discussions in respect of the proposal for the sale of the land to Park Medical Practice and the redevelopment of the site to include a community focussed facility comprising a new medical centre linked to a new library and residential apartments.

 

To reduce the staffing assignment as appropriate and:

 

That, if appropriate, the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to prepare, finalise and enter into all legal agreements and documentation required to implement the proposed sale and redevelopment of Timperley Library, including the Baker Street car park, to Park Medical Practice.

.

(d)   Hale Library – that the Council proceeds to invite formal tenders in relation to the provision of a library in Hale (together with redevelopment of the former library site) from the bidders who have previously expressed an interest on an informal basis, as set out in paragraph 3.5.5 of the report.

 

That following receipt of the formal tenders, a report should be prepared to evaluate the proposals     for the provision of a library in Hale (together with redevelopment of the former library site).

 

That the decision to approve the successful bidder following the evaluation of the proposals for the provision of a library in Hale (together with redevelopment of the former library site) be delegated to the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources.

 

That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to prepare, finalise and enter into all legal agreements and documentation required to implement the proposed sale and redevelopment of Hale Library.

 

(e)  Staff reduction – Implement back office staff reductions as set out in paragraph 2.7 and 3.6 of the report.

 

(f)   Book fund - that the book fund is reduced by £105k.

 

(g)  Income generation - that further areas of opportunity for income generation are explored and implemented where considered appropriate.

 

(h)  Bowfell and Davyhulme Libraries – that Bowfell and Davyhulme Libraries close.

 

(i)    Lostock Library - to maintain a library for the pupils of Lostock College, which will allow continued access to the library and its resources by the community as set out in paragraph 3.8.4 of the report and that the detail of this is developed.

 

(j)    Delamere Toy Library - that the funding for two part-time staff is withdrawn.

 

 

Minutes:

[NOTE: Councillor Williams, as a resident of Hale, declared a Personal Interest in Proposal 4 regarding Hale Library.]

 

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report which provided an overview of the Libraries Budget Consultation 2015/16, set out the methodology and the outcomes of the consultations and described how proposals have changed as a result of consultation, and made a recommendation in relation to the outcome of the Libraries Budget Consultation 2015/16. The Executive was advised of proposed amendments to recommendation 2c as set out in the report in relation to Timperley Library.

 

            RESOLVED -

 

(1)        That the contents of the report be noted.

 

(2)        That approval be given to the recommendations as set out below, having regard to the public sector equality duty (outlined at section 4 of the report):

 

(a)  Woodsend Library - Increasing the use of technology at libraries; specifically Open + technology at Woodsend Library and as a consideration in other Libraries subject to redevelopment.

 

(b)  Coppice Library - that the Council partner with other organisations and community groups to continue to provide access to library services at Coppice Library, specifically blueSCI.

 

(c)  Timperley Library – that the Council proceeds with further discussions in respect of the proposal for the sale of the land to Park Medical Practice and the redevelopment of the site to include a community focussed facility comprising a new medical centre linked to a new library and residential apartments.

 

To reduce the staffing assignment as appropriate and:

 

That, if appropriate, the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to prepare, finalise and enter into all legal agreements and documentation required to implement the proposed sale and redevelopment of Timperley Library, including the Baker Street car park, to Park Medical Practice.

.

(d)   Hale Library that the Council proceeds to invite formal tenders in relation to the provision of a library in Hale (together with redevelopment of the former library site) from the bidders who have previously expressed an interest on an informal basis, as set out in paragraph 3.5.5 of the report.

 

That following receipt of the formal tenders, a report should be prepared to evaluate the proposals     for the provision of a library in Hale (together with redevelopment of the former library site).

 

That the decision to approve the successful bidder following the evaluation of the proposals for the provision of a library in Hale (together with redevelopment of the former library site) be delegated to the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources.

 

That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to prepare, finalise and enter into all legal agreements and documentation required to implement the proposed sale and redevelopment of Hale Library.

 

(e)  Staff reduction – Implement back office staff reductions as set out in paragraph 2.7 and 3.6 of the report.

 

(f)   Book fund - that the book fund is reduced by £105k.

 

(g)  Income generation - that further areas of opportunity for income generation are explored and implemented where considered appropriate.

 

(h)  Bowfell and Davyhulme Libraries – that Bowfell and Davyhulme Libraries close.

 

(i)    Lostock Library - to maintain a library for the pupils of Lostock College, which will allow continued access to the library and its resources by the community as set out in paragraph 3.8.4 of the report and that the detail of this is developed.

 

(j)    Delamere Toy Library - that the funding for two part-time staff is withdrawn.

Supporting documents: