Issue - meetings

That the Welsh Government be asked to include standards on co-located libraries, and community managed libraries, in the assessment for the framework.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) introduced the report  and explained that following recent consideration by the Committee of current performance against the existing Welsh Public Library Standards, this provided an overview of the new framework which would come into operation during 2017. He invited Kate Leonard, Libraries Development Manager, to provide background information  and a summary of the framework.

                        The Libraries Development Manager reported that the WLPS 6 Framework had been updated to take account of the changed local authority environment within which library authorities must work.  It would provide opportunities for libraries to deliver services in innovative ways and the flexibility to make best use of the resources available to them.  She reported that it would come into operation on 1 April 2017 and libraries would make their first report against its requirements in Summer 2018.  The Libraries Development Manager explained that the framework comprised 12 core entitlements and 16 quality indicators to monitor how well the library services realised these benefits for the people of Wales.  She referred to the key outcomes and impacts which were detailed in the report.

                        The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) pointed out that for the purposes of the sixth framework of Public Library Standards, community managed libraries involving the transfer of the building and resources to the community and entirely run by volunteers with minimal (or no) ongoing assistance from the local library service were not eligible for inclusion.

                        Councillor Chris Bithell expressed concern that the WPLS 6 Framework did not take account of the difficult financial situation faced by local authorities  due to lack of funding which resulted in a decline in resources.

                        Councillor Dave Mackie said that community managed libraries should be included in the framework and the work of the volunteers who managed the service should be duly recognised.  He commented on the development of library services through co-location and expressed the view that standards for co-location should be defined in the framework.  Councillor Chris Bithell commented that there was no recognition of the support provided by the Council to community managed libraries in feedback to the Welsh Government (WG). 

                        Councillor Dave Mackie proposed that the Welsh Government be asked to include standards on co-located libraries, and community managed libraries,  in the assessment for the framework.

RESOLVED:

That the Welsh Government be asked to include standards on co-located libraries, and community managed libraries, in the assessment for the framework.