Issue - items at meetings - Libraries Plan

                Report of Director of Cultural Services (copy attached).

(1)       That the Libraries Plan 2009-2012 be agreed and forwarded on to full Council on for adoption. 

(2)       That the Libraries Plan 2009-2011 be forwarded to the full Council meeting on 29 January 2009, rather than the meeting to be held on 4 December 2008, in order to have a longer consultation period. 

43.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Cultural Services which presented the Libraries Plan 2009-2012.  The plan set out the Council’s vision for the service, building on the recent successes, and outlining the priorities and objectives for the next three years, in the context of the overall plans and ambitions for the city as a whole.  The plan demonstrated how Libraries supported the Corporate Priorities and contributed to the key strategies for the city, including the Local Area Agreement and Corporate Plan (for copy see minute book).  Seven priorities were identified for Libraries over the next three years.  These were set out in paragraph 3 of the report.  The plan had been developed with consultation with users, potential users and stakeholders.  The consultation was summarised in Section 6 of the report.  The plan had also benefited from the active involvement of members of the Culture, Tourism and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, through a workshop held in September 2008.  Changes had been made to the plan to reflect this.     

43.2    The Cabinet Member noted that the Libraries Plan was one of the key strategic documents that required full council approval.

43.3    Councillor Davis expressed some concern about the chronology and consultation process.  The consultation period was not long enough if the report was to go to Cabinet in December.  The Head of Libraries stressed that a great deal of consultation had already taken place.  She explained that the plan would not be written in stone.  The intention was to continually reflect the views of the local community and interest groups.    

43.4    Councillor Davis stated that if the consultation could be extended she would like to request that the report be presented to the Council meeting on 29 January 2009, rather than the meeting on 4^th December 2008.  She would like to see a review of increasing library hours and more information about the provision of new books.  Councillor Randall agreed that the plan was a good piece of work but shared concerns about the consultation period, book stocks and opening hours.   

43.5    The Head of Libraries and Information Services agreed to include comments from the groups who were being consulted.

43.6    RESOLVED - (1)      That the Libraries Plan 2009-2012 be agreed and forwarded on to full Council for adoption.

            (2)  That the Libraries Plan 2009-2011 be forwarded to the January 2009 Council meeting, rather than the meeting to be held on 4 December 2008.