Agenda item - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)           Petitions: 

To receive any petitions presented by members of the public.

(b)           Written Questions:

To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 11^th July 2025

(c)           Deputations:           

To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 10am on the 11^th July 2025

(a)          Public Questions

(1)          Library Sustainability Plan

17.1      Dylis Brown read the following question:

If Rottingdean library could be housed in another venue negating the maintenance cost of £68000 would BHCC keep it open. However, what would then BHCC do with the Grange building long term which given its great historic interest should be preserved for the nation

17.2      Councillor Robins provided the following reply:

The reference to £68,000 shared with councillors was from a broader discussion of the costs of managing the whole building – not the library within the building. 

The savings identified for the closure of Rottingdean Library are £25,000 in staff and running costs of the library space within the Grange. This covers cleaning, security and provision of the library space only.

Any decisions about the future of the Grange building are a separate matter, and not being consulted upon in this process, which concerns library provision only. 

(2)          Library Sustainability Plan

17.3      Nicky Lloyd Owen read the following question:

Rottingdean has an ageing population with issues such as mobility and dementia. Not all have cars. Does the Cabinet not think that to get on a bus to Woodingdean/Saltdean to access library facilities (particularly in winter using slippery, broken pavements) is asking too much? Could not the Cabinet be accused of ageism?

17.4      Councillor Robins provided the following reply:

Many of our libraries are co-located with or are near to other local amenities such as shops, pharmacies and leisure facilities, and residents sometimes reduce journeys by combining visits to these facilities.

We have a wide range of e-resources and the online library enables customers to manage their accounts remotely, ordering and renewing online and checking whether their reservations are ready, to reduce unnecessary journeys.

The Equalities Impact Assessment, appendix to the Cabinet Report, details some identified impacts on particular groups, including older residents. 

The Needs and Use Analysis appendix also explores how changes could impact older people in particular areas. 

Both of these pieces of work have been started using the information available to us through existing data sets and our library management system. The public consultation will give residents the opportunity to tell us more about how the libraries are used and what the impact of the changes will be. We encourage as many people as possible to engage with the process and fill in the survey, so we can identify areas of impact and work to mitigate them. 

The Library Service already supports people to access digital services with our network of volunteers. The Home Delivery Service supports those who are disabled or carers who cannot visit libraries in person. Other mitigations to support all affected groups, including older people, will be explored as part of the public consultation process.

(3)          Library Sustainability Plan

17.5      On behalf of Patricia Dixon, Nikki Lloyd Owen read the following question:

What plans does BHCC have for Rottingdean Grange building? This is used as the hub of the village - not just for the library which is at threat despite the 6th largest footfall of nearly 30k visits a year but for The Grange Gallery and the volunteers who look after it (over 50 local people - for some it is their main, or only, social contact for mental well-being) but for The Grange Gardens (historically of huge value and tended by loyal volunteers), the tea rooms and the artisan gallery.

17.6      Councillor Robins read the following reply:

The savings identified for the closure of Rottingdean Library are £25,000 in staff and running costs of the library space within the Grange. This covers cleaning, security and provision of the library space only. Any decisions about the future of the Grange building are separate from the consultation on the proposed library closure. 

As the Chair said we've had quite positive discussions already with Rottingdean Parish Council and Rottingdean Heritage Society which we we'll come on to when we get to the report. But I think it time now to say that myself and the Head of Service are going to make personal visits and you can come along and talk to us at all the affected libraries. Our intent is to do our very, very best to keep what we've got as well as making the savings that we’ve got, and I hope that reflects in the report when we come to it later on. So again, thanks ever so much for coming to ask your question.