Issue - meetings

(a)       That the progress made against Public Library Standards be noted; and

(b)       That the Committees comments on the future overarching framework for library provision moving forward be noted.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) provided an update on progress against delivery of Welsh Public Library Standards (WPLS) and outlined the way forward for working with these standards and the current budgetary context in the future. He provided background information and referred to Flintshire’s performance against the WPLS in previous years and the current position.

The Chief Officer explained that in the current budgetary context the old framework for Public Library Standards would become harder to achieve and in view of this the Library Service had commenced work on a local Libraries framework.  The framework addressed the findings and recommendations of the Expert Review and also the requirements of the Council to deliver services within available budgets.  The Chief Officer reported on the key strands of the framework which were detailed in the report.  

Councillor Paul Cunningham commented on the Home Delivery service and emphasised the valuable social connections it provided for house-bound users.      

Mr. David Hytch referred to the use of volunteer staff in the Library Service and whilst acknowledging the valuable service they provided expressed concerns that this could have implications for workforce development in the future.  He also commented on the need not to undermine the professional qualifications required for a career in the Library Service.  In response to the comments made the Chief Officer (Organisational Change) explained the role of volunteers and  agreed to provide a report on this subject to a future meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas sought information on the services provided by Library Headquarters, Mold.   The Chief Officer gave an overview of the range of information and services available and agreed to submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee on the review of archives and collections held at Library Headquarters and how they would be dealt with in the future. 

Councillor Nancy Matthews commented on the possibility of community managed libraries in the future.  The Chief Officer referred to the importance of the public library service and the positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities.  He commented on the potential for community library models and advised that the library service had a vital role in lifelong learning, literacy, digital inclusion, health and wellbeing and community cohesion.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress made against Public Library Standards be noted; and

(b)       That the Committees comments on the future overarching framework for library provision moving forward be noted.