Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Further to minute 65/15 the Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provided a progress report on the current position of the Coventry Library and Information Service.  The Board also considered a presentation which enabled members to view the activities and new developments in libraries via YouTube videos.  The Board welcomed some library volunteers who had kindly agreed to contribute to the meeting. 

The note included information related to the service transformation and delivery of savings associated with the Connecting Communities programme, along with updates on current performance and proposals for further budget reductions to be implemented from April 2019. The Board were requested to provide any feedback on the proposed further budget reductions to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills who would be considering them at his meeting on 17th January 2019.

The Council introduced the Connecting Communities programme in 2015/2016. The programme was introduced in two phases with changes to Library Services introduced alongside changes to a number of other Council services.  The main changes to Library Services included greater participation by the community in the delivery of library services along with reductions in opening hours, reductions in the amount of money spent on library stock, a move to three library types (core, partnership and community-led) and the de-commissioning of the former mobile library.

Phase one of the changes resulted in budget reductions including property savings of £802k, phase two of the changes enabled a further reduction of £653k, total £1,445k.  In line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy a final third set of proposals was currently being consulted on with staff and service users which would reduce budgets by a further £319k.

The current position regarding the 17 libraries which operate in the City was detailed in the briefing note including 3 community libraries, 5 core libraries and 9 partnership libraries.  The usage of the libraries, partnerships, use of IT changes and any concerns were documented.

As well as considerable success in recruiting volunteers to support the delivery of library services in Cheylesmore, Earlsdon and Finham (over 130 people so far) the service had also offered volunteering opportunities for people in other library settings.  Currently 60 volunteers had been trained and deployed in other libraries with on-going recruitment becoming part of the day-to-day operation of the service.

A snapshot of Coventry Libraries performance was appended to the briefing note.  Overall whilst membership had dropped very slightly, there remained almost 70,000 members of the service.  Visits to libraries were up year-on-year and for core and partnership libraries book issues had increased.  Changes to the opening hours of community-led libraries had impacted on data for the last year and we would expect performance to increase in the future as library opening hours expand.

The Library Service had recently conducted a user satisfaction survey to establish a baseline for future work and to engage with users around the parts of the service they report working well and otherwise. With around 400 people participating 93% of users rated the service as good or excellent.

The briefing note also detailed other recent developments including ‘loud in libraries’ and the development of the cultural offer, health and wellbeing related initiatives and the digital offer.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy included a requirement for a further budget reduction of £ 319k.  Proposals to reduce expenditure included:

-  Reduce staffing in Aldermoor, Caludon, Canley and Coundon libraries   to single staffing.

-  Reduce staffing in Central Library by introducing a ‘Library Express’   model which would rely on self-service and limited staff supervision of   the library from 9-11am Monday to Friday and on Sundays.

-  End the provision of hard copy newspapers and magazines and support   users to move to digital access either in the library or at home.

-  Additional income from the introduction of a privately run café within   Central Library and an externally funded Visa scheme.

-  Reductions in other fixed library budgets and a review of management   and non-front line posts. 

A further change which would be proposed to the Cabinet Member, was to agree a change to library fines to move the age at which users were expected to pay fine from aged 8 years to 16 years. The proposals were currently subject to a short consultation with library users and staff.  The final proposals would be considered by the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at his Cabinet Member meeting on 17th January 2019.

Members expressed concerns regarding the lone working proposal and had been contacted by staff who shared their concerns.  Officers gave reassurance that since 2017, when lone working had begun, risk assessments were carried out, unions had been consulted and there were safe working procedures in place.  Where possible ‘friends of the library’ were used to provide support.

The Scrutiny Board recognised the financial constraints however, remained concerned about the compromise to the safety of staff and members of the public particularly in certain libraries in the city with a history of anti-social behaviour experienced.

The Board applauded the all volunteers who were an asset to the City and requested that this be conveyed to them.  The Board also celebrated the success of all 17 libraries in the city and in particular new developments such as the introduction of a café and externally funded Visa scheme.  The Board discussed links with the Universities in the City.

RESOLVED that

1.  The Scrutiny Board commend those who had enabled all libraries in the city to remain open in the current climate and particularly thanked the volunteers.

2.  The Scrutiny Board acknowledge financial constraints but raise concerns regarding the safety of staff, volunteers and the public should the proposal to carry out lone working be implemented.  They request that the Cabinet Member be advised of their concerns regarding the importance of risk assessments and that the Board felt there should not be only one person in a building and particularly in areas with Anti-Social Behaviour.