Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interest.

a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January 2017

b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January, 2017 were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Executive Director of People

To consider petitions relating to the Library Service in Coventry. The Councillors supporting the petitions have been invited to attend the meeting along with the respective petition organisers.

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director of People that responded to six petitions received following a public consultation exercise that took place between 12 September 2016 to 12 December, 2016 on a set of proposals relating to libraries associated with the implementation of Phase 2 of Connecting Communities, which is an ambitious approach to redesign services through collaboration. This is in the context of an estimated 55% grant reduction to the City Council from Central Government between 2010/2-20.

The public consultation was on a set of proposals across Children’s Centres, nurseries, youth service and libraries with an associated Phase 2 savings target of £3.8m. The proposals include the development of sustainable, modern and comprehensive libraries as community hubs in three broad categories of core libraries, partnership libraries and community-led libraries.

Final decisions on all of the proposals contained in the “Connecting Communities Phase 2” report would be made by the Cabinet at their meeting to be held on 7 March, 2017.

The Cabinet Member considered the following petitions:-

1)  An e-petition headed to ‘Save Coventry Libraries’, bearing 26 signatures that stated:

“Coventry City Council has just revealed proposals that Caludon, Cheylesmore, Coundon, Finham and Earlsdon will shut if community groups do not take them on. Aldermoor, Canley, Hillfields, Jubilee Crescent and Allesley Park are also under threat as the Council want to make cuts of £1 million.

But this is just a proposal!  Let’s make our voice heard by the Council and stop these changes.

Libraries are the centre of our local communities and they support vulnerable people.  Protect our children’s education.”

The petition organiser was unable to attend the meeting.

2)  A written petition headed ‘Save our Libraries’ bearing 2,666 signatures that stated:

“We, the undersigned, protest at the cuts planned by Coventry City Council threatening libraries across the city.  Libraries are an essential safe space, open new doors and horizons to enquiring minds, and are central to healthy, local communities.  Libraries under threat in Coventry have been used for many years by families and especially by children, we need to keep proper libraries staffed by professionals.  The Council says it has no choice but to get rid of dozens of library staff in order to implement a cut of £1m imposed by the Tories.  But the Labour Council has doubled its reserves to £84m in the last 5 years.  Use some of that to offset these cuts and work with the people of Coventry to mount a campaign to force the Tory Government to properly fund essential local services.”

The petition organiser, Sarah Smith, attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the petitioners. Sarah outlined concerns in relation to the loss of libraries, which she indicated provided safe environments for children. She raised concerns about the long term viability of community led libraries and asked why the Council couldn’t use reserves to save libraries.

3)  A written petition headed ‘Save Coundon Library’ bearing555 signatures that stated:

“We, the undersigned protest at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

There are no outstanding issues

There were no outstanding issues.

Any other items of public business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of public business.