Agenda item

That the Committee is satisfied with the Council’s progress on delivery within the changing context for the Welsh Public Library Standards.

As portfolio holder, Councillor Chris Bithell introduced a report explaining the changing context of the Welsh Public Library Standards, current performance and anticipated future performance.  He gave an overview of the background, explaining that the Standards did not reflect the budgetary challenges faced by councils and emphasised the importance of community-based libraries run by volunteers to complement the formal library network.  Overall, performance levels had been sustained despite the reduced funding and the network was developing through the new Deeside library where usage figures had increased and the planned Holywell library which had received Welsh Government (WG) funding.  Councillor Bithell took the opportunity to pay tribute to Pennie Corbett, the Principal Librarian, who was shortly due to retire from the Council, and to thank her for her dedication and professionalism.  These comments were endorsed by the Chairman and other Members of the Committee.

The Principal Librarian spoke about the robustness of the library network and the exciting developments for the future.  She provided information on the Core Entitlements and Quality Indicators which had been met by the Council in 2014/15 and gave explanation on the reasons for partial compliance, some of which were outside the Council’s control.  The outcome for the percentage of materials budget spent on children’s resources had been deemed as partial compliance, despite exceeding the target, due to the criteria set by WG and representations had been made to address this.  Information was also shared on planned changes which would reflect positively on future performance, including the provision of Wi-fi at all libraries.  Outcomes were expected to improve for 2016/17 as a result of the business plan and changes currently being implemented.

Councillor Clive Carver commented on the provision of Wi-fi where Broadband was already available.  The Principal Librarian agreed to look into a reported problem with stopping points of the mobile library.

Concerning the Deeside library, Councillor Dave Mackie remarked on the capacity in comparison with the former library to which the Principal Librarian reported on current stock levels, including those in circulation, and advised that additional storage space was available for top-up.  In response to concerns about the use of the self-service machine used by customers, she explained that it could only be operated with tagged stock and that employees in Deeside Leisure Centre had been offering support in helping customers outside the manned hours.  Following a question on the impact survey within the Annual Assessment Report, attention was drawn to Flintshire’s standing in the lowest, median and highest figures as the ranking reflected only those councils which had submitted reports for the year.

Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer referred to the moving of the library service topic to the remit of the Committee and asked that a full report on the current and future library network, including plans for Holywell library, be brought to a future meeting.  The Chief Officer, Organisational Change agreed to share the medium-term plan with an update on the progress of each library.  The Chief Executive spoke about the resilience of the business model for libraries with no further proposals for change intended.

Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed the progress made and highlighted the community support for the transfer of Mancot library.  Councillor Glenys Diskin thanked the Council for its support in the successful transfer of Mancot library and paid tribute to the community group involved.

Councillor Clive Carver raised a query about reporting arrangements when a topic under review was transferred to the remit of another Committee.  The Chief Executive spoke about the need for Members’ input on determining annual Forward Work Programmes, and that the Organisational Change Overview & Scrutiny Committee was different in having a rolling programme.  This prompted some Members to share concerns about the movement of topics between different Committees.

In response to queries by Councillor Chris Dolphin on the mobile library service, the Principal Librarian felt that this important service offered value for money.  She shared information on the service and explained that the stopping points were reviewed annually and that the level of materials issued were equivalent to that in a smaller branch library.  New routes had recently been introduced to take account of changes to the library network.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin stressed the importance of considering the impact of new technology which offered alternative ways of accessing books.  It was noted that the library service provided e-books and e-magazines free of charge.

Councillor Ian Dunbar praised the support given by the Council on the transfer of Mancot library.  He welcomed the increased attendance at the new Deeside library and asked if there were any issues.  The Principal Librarian referred to the good support from workers at Deeside Leisure Centre and that there had been no issues on the open access aspect of the library.

In terms of other Community Asset Transfers, the Chief Officer, Organisational Change reported on the completion of the transfer of the library in Mynydd Isa with the transfer of Hope Community library nearing completion.

Following comments from Councillor Mike Reece on funding cuts, the Chief Executive said that any further meaningful cuts, beyond those already made, would result in changes to the model and inevitably, reduce services.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee is satisfied with the Council’s progress on delivery within the changing context for the Welsh Public Library Standards.