Cabinet considered the report regarding the approval to implement the recommended changes to the Library Service delivery model and to adopt the revised Library Transformation Strategy.

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Corporate & Resident Services, Culture & Heritage, and Windsor informed Cabinet that That she was proud to bring before Cabinet a paper that will significantly improve our library service.  In January she presented a paper that showed potential saving for the budget build that would go out to consultation.  This paper shows the proposals following that consultation.  It was originally thought that to achieve the required saving we would have to close 4 libraries,  she was please to say that this report did not propose any closure of our libraries but provided instead for a more resilient modern service meeting residents needs.

The consultation lasted for 12 weeks with over a thousand responses and 38 engagement sessions were held with hundreds of residents attending virtually.  This was also the first consultation done in British sign language.    The results had been very positive and there had been commitments for £6,500 towards their libraries.  The proposed savings had also been achieved, for example by stopping the container library being moved between sites saved £55k.   we would also be looking at a pop up library in Sunningdale and if successful could be used elsewhere.  The mobile library was to be retired and in its place 50 volunteers would deliver and collect books to those who find it difficult to get to their library.   There would be new partnerships with Parish Council’s and community organisations.

As well as the consultation an independent report was commissioned that showed how important the service was and in particular it highlighted Boyn Grove, Dedworth and Eaton Wick.  There was also a lot data on how residents used the service and comparative data that showed we had a higher then average use of the service.   It also demonstrated, as per the CIPFA report, that it was a financially efficient service. 

The service will also be improved and this was shown in the strategy at appendix 3.  There had been a lot of successful transformation during the pandemic and this would be built upon such as mitigating isolated disadvantaged and digital exclusion.  It was an exciting time for the service and the main assets were the incredible team. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Ascot said that the report demonstrated what an excellent service was provided, the needs analysis was a fascinating read.  The transformation strategy would maintain the excellent service whilst delivering the required savings without closing any libraries.  He mentioned how the library in Sunninghill had been established in 1885 as a reading room and as the trust no longer had the resources to keep it open it found support from local parish councils and other local charities.  The consultation had shown how parish councils had chosen to work with the local authority.  They could use the precept to help cover the costs locally. 

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Environmental Services and Maidenhead informed that Holyport residents had enjoyed using the mobile library but he was thankful that there was the proposal that would help elderly residents and those who found it difficult to leave their homes. 

Mr Hill addressed Cabinet about a recently submitted petition to keep open Boyne Grove library.  He thanked the 700 people who signed the petition, those who delivered flyers and all those who took part in the consultation.  By bringing forward this paper it was evident that you had listened to public opinion and he thanked the excellent work undertaken by officers providing objective factual information.   He also thanked Cllr Carroll and Cllr Bhangra as ward councillors who invited him to work with them on the collaborative steering group to save the library.   They analysed the data and submitted a 20 page business and community case.  He was pleased over a thousand residents had been listened to and an alternative approach was being presented.   Proposals to save the library had been put forward such as an enhanced café provision and making better use of the space. 

He was concerned that the opening hours was dropping to 13 a week especially as the analysis showed the are as being one of the most deprived in the borough.  What efforts were being taken to asses the impact on the children who live locally, the Girls Forum had identified the importance of libraries as being a safe place for children to go after school.   Some students may not have good wifi at home.  He felt there was a case to retain the libraries hours.  It is clear that the message to residents is use it or lose it and the library can not be taken for granted, many residents would not be aware that the space could be hired out for as little as £12.50 per hour and he encouraged residents to use it. 

It was clear that parished areas had an advantage as they had additional powers that could be used to help cover the costs of retaining a library.  He also mentioned CIL or S106 could be used to retain services and he wondered why this was not happening.  The service to replace the mobile library sounded promising as long as it did not wither with time.  He thanked Cllr Rayner and officers for the report but asked that the use of development contributions to increase the opening hours be looked into.

The Cabinet Member presenting thanked Mr Hill for his comments and was pleased to listen to the results of the consultation.  With regards to the opening hours she mentioned that unfortunately there was no funds to open it longer, however she agreed that residents should be encouraged to use the facilities.  The libraries that were in school locations would be open after school hours.  This was a great step forward with the first action was to find the 50 volunteers. 

The Chairman also thanked Mr Hill for the hard, collaborative work that had been undertaken to get a positive result.  There will still be work to do in the future but we are now in a better place then a few months ago.

Cllr Tisi informed Cabinet that she welcomed the changes that were mitigated against the worst of the previous proposals.  Residents and councillor’s had worked very well together to get the message out there regarding the consultation.  Dedworth library was proposing new ways to bring income in and had successfully found six new volunteers.  It was clear that the local community new the value of the library service.  She asked if Cabinet supported the aim that the library should have ‘friends of libraries’ to support their local need.  She mentioned that the needs analysis was the route of Cabinets U turn on the proposed cuts.  As the library was in one of the most deprived areas within the borough there was a case to keep it open loner.  This made her question the validity of the original equalities impact assessment.  Why was it not known that there would be these impacts before the original cuts were published and had a detrimental impact on communities. 

The reporting Cabinet Member replied that there already existed a Friends of Our Libraries organisation and she would support local ones.  She mentioned that there had been no U-turn as the consultation was about listening and  formulating proposals for the future of the service.  Proposals had to be put forward as part of the budget build and she never wanted to see libraries close.

Cllr Bond reiterated the thanks to officers who had put forward the proposals.  He endorsed what had been said and was thankful that we has local support in the friends of our libraries and local residents were keen on establishing one for Boyn Grove.

Cllr Brar mentioned that the report mentioned that the parish council would be subsidising 7 hour of the libraries opening time but this had not been agreed by the parish council.  She was informed that the report did say that some of the proposals were subject to parish council approval and the hours would be subsidised by the local authority until the decision had been made.  

Cllr Del Campo echoed the points already made about the excellent library team and she was pleased that the administration had backed down from its proposals to close libraries.  Many of the points made during the consultation had already been made by councillors in January so the process could have been improved if they had been listened to.  The lose of the mobile library was a concern as there may be residents in the middle who would lose out.  It was important to have an effective communications strategy so residents new what the offer was.  In response she was informed that there had been no back down but a proper process had been followed.

Cllr Bhangra said he welcomed the report and reiterated the work done by himself, Cllr Carroll and the support of many local residents such as Mr Hill.  He had been concerned about some using the process as a political football.  They would continue to campaign in a positive way to try and increase the hours in Boyne Grove. 

Cllr Singh mentioned that it was disappointing that the administration had taken 5 months to alleviate the concerns residents who wanted to keep libraries open.  If there had been effective engagement with the opposition then residents’ concerns would have been mitigated.  He questioned if this was a member lead authority or one lead by officers.  He was informed that as mentioned a balanced budget was required and by following due process, the administration were able to put forward proposals that did not require libraries to close and enhanced the service. 

The Chairman informed that he was immensely proud to be leading a council with a library service as good as this.  It has stepped up to the challenge of meeting the budget saving but also delivered a transformative change, a vision going forward and also being the most efficient library service in England.  He paid tribute to the service and the constructive partners.  He was also please to hear how well the consultation had been undertaken and received.  There was no U turn, this was a listening Council and that is what we had done.  This was an excellent opportunity to take forward the library service and to work in partnership with parish councils.

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet:

i)             Notes the outcome of the Consultation and the Comprehensive Needs Analysis

ii)           Approves the adoption of the Library Transformation Strategy, the recommended changes to the service and the associated savings.