Agenda item

(a)  that the report of the libraries strategic review be approved and its recommendations be implemented, in particular to:

1.  Endorse a new vision for public libraries as a force for change and improvement at the heart of communities.

2.  Extend provision though mini libraries in community venues.

3.  Adopt an invest to save strategy to improve service outcomes for customers and communities while reducing expenditure in other areas to deliver efficiencies.

4.  Test the potential for a local authority strategic partnership to add value and accelerate improvement of Slough’s public libraries.

(b)  that quarterly performance reports be submitted to the Community, Leisure and Environment Scrutiny Panel to maintain scrutiny of the progress in implementing actions arising from the review.

The Cabinet considered a report summarising the findings and proposals of a strategic review of the library service from April – July 2009.  The review had been commissioned through the Community, Leisure and Environment Scrutiny Panel.

The Assistant Director of Learning and Cultural Engagement outlined the background to the strategic review which had assessed the current performance of the library service and considered a wide range of options and opportunities to improve its performance and relevance to the people of Slough.  The review had made a number of recommendations with regard to the vision for libraries and had review recommended “mini” libraries in community venues which would be co-located with other services in community buildings.  The review also recommended an invest to save strategy which delivered net savings of £350,000 by 2013.  Members were advised that a number of operational processes could also be streamlined to be more efficient and reduce costs and that there needed to be a single reorganisation to put management and staffing arrangements on a sound footing.  The review also recommended that in order to make substantial changes that were embedded and generate continuous improvement, it was clear that more strategic partnerships and different relationships with suppliers and others needed to be developed.  It was proposed that the officers proceed formally to market test the local authorities strategic partner model for the whole library service inviting local authorities to obtain expressions of interest.  It was also proposed with regard to performance management that quarterly reports on implementation of the strategic review and overall performance improvement of the library service be provided for the Scrutiny Panel and Commissioners.

Members asked a number of questions during the debate including:

• A concern with regard to strategic partnerships and whether these were to be introduced simply to draw down funds and what reassurances had been given to staff as part of the reorganisation.  Members were advised that the authority needed to be very clear about the outcomes it wished to achieve with regard to Strategic Partnerships and that there needed to be a very clear focus for reducing senior management.  It was acknowledged that this could cause tension and pressure but staff had been fully involved in the review and there was a strong commitment to service delivery. 

[Councillor Anderson left the meeting.  Councillor Swindlehurst in the Chair.]

• A query over the opening hours of libraries – Officers advised that the current opening hours for Slough Libraries were not good and it was hoped that these could be improved upon at existing libraries.  Satellite libraries would open for up to 30 hours a week and this would count against the performance indicator. 

A Member present under Rule 30 asked for information with regard to income generation, donation of books and encouragement of teenage use of libraries.  Officers advised that there would be income generation opportunities and local groups using facilities was entirely in the spirit of the review.  There had been a backlog in selecting, buying and processing stock and there would be  smarter use of technology in the future resulting in improvement in this area.  With regard to the use of libraries by teenagers the authority needed to work with experts in that area to attract teenagers to the library service. 

The Chair of the Community Leisure and Environment Scrutiny Panel advised that the Panel had given full consideration to this report and welcomed the proposed changes to the library service and thanked the Assistant Director and the team for his work on this.

Resolved –

(a)  That the report of the libraries strategic review be approved and its recommendations be implemented, in particular to:

1.  Endorse a new vision for public libraries as a force for change and improvement at the heart of communities.

2.  Extend provision though mini libraries in community venues.

3.  Adopt an invest to save strategy to improve service outcomes for customers and communities while reducing expenditure in other areas to deliver efficiencies.

4.  Test the potential for a local authority strategic partnership to add value and accelerate improvement of Slough’s public libraries.

(b)  That quarterly performance reports be submitted to the Community, Leisure and Environment Scrutiny Panel to maintain scrutiny of the progress in implementing actions arising from the review.