Agenda item - Libraries

39.1 Cllr Emma Daniel, cabinet member for Children, Families and Youth Services presented the report to the committee. Keys points included the budget savings proposals agreed at budget council, reducing wastage in the council’s estate, modernising services, and co-location of services.

39.2 Members asked questions on the following issues: which libraries would close, centralisation of services, the potential need to book a slot for help, the impact on older people, the impact of the PFI agreement coming to an end, what happens to the staff at Hove Town Hall and Barts House, what would happen to Hove Town Hall and Barts House, how the consultation and the needs and use analysis will work, the relatively short time frame of consultation, the need for older people to have face to face consultations rather than using technology, why the savings from closing Barts House and Hove Town Hall could not be used to keep libraries open, the need for further scrutiny when there are proposals, the willingness of staff who are university trained librarians to deal with customer services, the need for security staff at the libraries (as currently at Hove Town Hall and Barts House), if current co-location services have increased library footfall, engaging as many groups as possible with the consultation, ensuring that people know there are face to face services in the library, integrating services from partners like the NHS or Adult Social Care, the progress of Moulsecoomb Hub, the need for a good communications plan on the services offered by libraries, and if there will be signposting for certain needs to go to specific libraries.

39.3 People Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolved to note the report.