In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (Public Participation), two questions have been submitted by Mrs V Pearce resident of Lingwood, Old Bracknell on behalf of the Defend Our Community Services with regard to their concern about the library service.
The full text of the questions are set out below, to be answered by Councillor McCracken, Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection:
To be asked by Mr T Pearce:
a) With reference to the Council Libraries Review, which refers to the possibility of some libraries being relocated into Community Hubs/Community Centres, etc., staffed by volunteers. Would the Council agree that a pile of books on a table in a multi activity space is no longer a library in the sense that we know it? We need our libraries in properly equipped and staffed buildings not as an adjunct to a multi activity space.
To be asked by Mrs V Pearce:
b) With reference to the Council Library Review would the Council agree that we should respect the great job our professional library staff do and appreciate that running a successful library goes far beyond stamping and handing out books. The relatively small savings accrued by cutting our excellent staff and replacing by volunteers, no matter how enthusiastic, could well prove to be a short sighted and counter productive. If more funding needs to be generated will the Council consider using some of its reserves rather than cutting the quality of our libraries, a central part of our community?
The procedure for dealing with submissions is explained in the Council's scheme for public participation which is viewable as part of the Constitution. The overall time allowed at a meeting to deal with all submissions by the public will not normally exceed 30 minutes.
Minutes:
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (Public Participation), two questions were submitted by Mr T and Mrs V Pearce residents of Lingwood, Old Bracknell on behalf of the Defend Our Community Services with regard to their concern about the proposed changes to library services.
The Mayor invited Mr and Mrs Pearce to put their questions to Councillor McCracken, Executive Member for Corporate Services, Community and Public. Mr Pearce asked the following published question:
a) With reference to the Council Libraries Review, which refers to the possibility of some libraries being relocated into Community Hubs/Community Centres, etc., staffed by volunteers. Would the Council agree that a pile of books on a table in a multi activity space is no longer a library in the sense that we know it? We need our libraries in properly equipped and staffed buildings not as an adjunct to a multi activity space.
Councillor McCracken thanked them for their questions as it gave him a chance to reaffirm public record which had been stated on seven occasions at the public consultation meetings. He stated that the Council was facing significant economic challenges but there were no plans to close libraries as they are recognised to be a focal point or a community hub within their locations. He confirmed that Community Centres came under within his Executive portfolio but that he had not had any relocation discussions with staff and there was no suggestion that libraries would be staffed exclusively by volunteers.
Mr Pearce asked a supplementary question regarding whether there would be a relocation of libraries and whether full time staff would lose their jobs. Councillor McCracken reiterated that there was no intention to move from the nine current locations but to make improvements by using volunteers. He reported that 30% of the more than 2,000 respondents to the consultation had indicated that they would be happy to volunteer. Councillor McCracken also advised that the Council was in addition looking at technological solutions to support extended hours, adding that this would release the qualified staff to be able to undertake other library activities.
Mrs Pearce asked the following published question:
b) With reference to the Council Library Review would the Council agree that we should respect the great job our professional library staff do and appreciate that running a successful library goes far beyond stamping and handing out books. The relatively small savings accrued by cutting our excellent staff and replacing by volunteers, no matter how enthusiastic, could well prove to be a short sighted and counter productive. If more funding needs to be generated will the Council consider using some of its reserves rather than cutting the quality of our libraries, a central part of our community?
Councillor McCracken replied that he considered Bracknell Forest had a first class professional library team and the proposals were seeking assistance from volunteers as previously described. The preferred option was to deliver the best possible library service with the reduced funding available. He confirmed that Reserves were already being used as part of the response to financial challenges.
In response to a supplementary question regarding whether there would a cut to the level of library staff, which it was stated had arisen during a public meeting, Councillor McCracken replied that he did not recall that had been said in a public forum and reiterated that the preferred option was about making the library service more efficient.
The Mayor thanked Mr and Mrs Pearce for attending the meeting.