Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the progress with the Library Service Strategy to 2020 and to consider proposals for setting up a Task and Finish Group to develop a new Strategy to 2025.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the progress with the Library Service Strategy to 2020 and proposals for setting up a Task and Finish Group to develop a new Strategy to 2025.

Members were presented with the background and contextual information which had led to the development of the current strategy to 2020. The aims and objectives of the current strategy, which had been set by the previous Task and Finish Group, had been largely met or were in delivery. In particular, major refurbishment and improvement works had been undertaken and were ongoing within a number of Hampshire libraries and had been very well received. Members heard that the emphasis was to develop a sustainable service and to focus upon community need. Integration with other County Council functions was also discussed as an important factor.

In consideration of the proposed Terms of Reference attached at Appendix 1 to the main report, it was explained that as the Task and Finish Group was informal, it was possible, but not necessary that it be formed on a proportional basis. It was proposed and agreed that the Terms of Reference be amended in order that this be on a “cross Party basis” in order that all three political Parties represented on the Select Committee be included.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         As the Transformation to 2019 savings were predicted to exceed the initial 14% target, the £500,000 transfer from the Development Fund was intended to remain as a permanent re-allocation of funding.

·         That since the closure of the mobile library service, fewer than 50 service users had moved to using the home library service. The majority of customers had accessed their local static library.

·         The School Library Service offer, an optional sold service to schools, and the way in which the service was marketed, was under review.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee:

i)             endorse progress made on the Library Strategy 2020 since it was published in April 2016.

ii)            set up a Task and Finish Group to develop a new Library Strategy to 2025, with the Terms of Reference set out in Appendix 1 and that the membership of the group be as below with nominations to be sent to the Chairman:

·         four Conservative Members

·         two Liberal Democrat Members

·         one Community Campaign (Hart) Member