Meeting documents

To consider and make any recommendations on the report by the Interim Director for Adult and Community Services.

The Chairman informed the Committee that written statements had been received from the following parties and he read these out in full:

·         Ian Gardner, County Councillor for Chickerell and Chesil Bank division,

·         Pauline Batstone, County Councillor for Blackmore Vale division,

·         Ros Kayes, County Councillor for Bridport division; and

·         Friends of Sturminster Newton Library.

A copy of the statements were distributed at meeting and are attached to these minutes as Annexure 1.

The Committee considered a report by the Interim Director for Adult and Community Services that asked members to consider how mobile library services would be provided in the future.The County Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan included savings for the library service and changes to the service were therefore necessary. The report focussed on proposed change for the mobile library service and considered the impact of any change on members of the public. 

The Head of Early Help and Community Services advised that the proposal within the report would allow the County Council to provide access to library services to those who could not access the service in any other way, within the financial resources available. Through the Dorset Partnership for Older People Programme (POPP) people who were isolated in rural villages had been identified and it was proposed that POPPs would be greater mobilised to help deliver services to these people.  The use of Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) volunteers would also be extended.

Consultation with the public and communities had been carried out during April and May 2016 and the Chairman congratulated officers on the way in which this had been carried out.  The Head of Early Help and Community Services reviewed the highlights of the consultation responses and advised that the unusual timescale (December 2016 to March 2017) was to ensure that no service was withdrawn until an alternative via communities themselves, was available.  A phased approach was therefore proposed.

The County Councillor for Portland Tophill district, Paul Kimber, was invited to address the Committee.  He advised that although he had concerns regarding the proposed closures he acknowledged the need for the proposals.  He then commented on the work undertaken by friends groups and he asked whether every library had one.  He asked members to consider how they could encourage libraries to set one up and reach isolated people, both in rural and urban areas. 

Members sought further clarification as to how services to the most vulnerable and isolated would continue, and they were satisfied that steps would be in place via the use of community groups, RVS, POPP or friends and neighbours before any withdrawal of services were made.  They asked officers to speak to existing staff to identify vulnerable people to ensure that no one slipped through the cracks.

Some members gave examples where community volunteers in their local areas had enriched both the library service and community living.  There was a general acknowledgement that communities had to reclaim responsibility for their services and members were asked to encourage community schemes.  The Head of Early Help and Community Services asked members to note that the required level of assistance by the voluntary sector and the pace at which services could be out in place was unknown at this early stage, hence the longer lead in time for withdrawal of services.

Recommended

That the Cabinet be recommended to:

1.      note the consultation responses about the proposed changes to the mobile library service;

2.      maintain the mobile library service provided by the County Council to residential homes and sheltered accommodation units; and

3.      approve the closure of the public mobile library service by end of December 2016 (earliest) and by end of March 2017 (latest) and the development of alternative access to library services where required within the resources available.

Reason for recommendations

To meet the council’s Medium Term Financial Plan, ensuring that the County Council achieves a balanced budget.