Issue - meetings

That the Committee endorses the progress of service development within  the Libraries Leisure and Cultural Services.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1), gave an overview and then suggested that the Principal Librarian and Principal Leisure Services Manager should provide an update for their respective areas.  The Principal Librarian commented on the development of a sustainable Libraries infrastructure for the future and work on the designated hub libraries in Mold, Holywell, Connah’s Quay, Deeside Leisure Centre, Buckley and Flint.  For rural libraries the feasibility of Community Asset Transfers was being assessed. 

The Principal Leisure Services Manager detailed the Alternative Delivery Model proposals for Leisure, which included the transfer of Connah’s Quay Swimming Pool and Holywell Leisure Centre with the remainder of the facilities initially being part of the proposed ADM.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) reported that the theatre was in the second year of making efficiencies which totalled £0.350m through cost reductions, reductions in the number of performances and increases in income.  A sustainable staffing structure with key appointments to Artistic Director and Executive Director had now been put in place.  Within the Museums and Archives Services, it was recognised that these were small scale and were being viewed in terms of regional collaboration.  He emphasised that Flintshire’s Archive Service was recognised as a leader in North Wales and had achieved a formal accreditation which other authorities had not yet reached.

Members went on to ask a number of questions about the approach to digitisation within the Archives service and whether Town & Community Councils had agreed to support the Connah’s Quay pool Cambrian Aquatics initiative.   Councillor Robin Guest referred to the statistics which had been included within the efficiency statement which showed that library membership in Flintshire had increased by 5% over 2 years at a time when overall UK library membership had fallen by 4%.  In addition 99% of library users had rated Flintshire libraries as either good or very good. Both sets of statistics were extremely pleasing

In responding to Members’ questions, the officers thanked Councillor Guest for his comments and explained that whilst there was no further news about Town & Community Council contributions for Connah’s Quay Swimming Pool, Sports Wales had made a grant in the region of £20 – 25k and commented on the feasibility of Big Lottery  Fund funding which would provide capital investment. 

Councillor Chris Dolphin commented that the smaller community councils were currently addressing the issue of the transfer of play areas in their respective areas and that once this had been worked through, they may then be able to consider supporting their local swimming pool and leisure centres financially.

RESOLVED

That the Committee endorses the progress of service development within  the Libraries Leisure and Cultural Services.