The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The original plans for a shake-up of the library service in Lincolnshire are to be put forward for approval by county councillors.
Just over a year after the council’s executive agreed to proposals for cost-saving changes to the service – later challenged in the High Court – the same plans are back before them.
Holbeach councillor Nick Worth (pictured), executive member for libraries, said: “Officers have put in a lot of work to address the issues raised during the court case.
“Having done so, they still believe the model previously agreed by the executive is the right way forward.”
Under the proposals, the council would continue to provide 15 major libraries, along with online services, mobile libraries and specialist support for those unable to reach their nearest library because of, for instance, disability, age or ill health.
These would be complemented by up to 40 community hubs, including library services, developed in partnership with local community groups. Not only will these groups receive ongoing professional support, they will also be given over £5,000 per year towards their running costs and access to a one-off grant of up to £15,000 for changes to buildings or equipment.
In addition, officers are now recommending the council undertakes a competitive procurement to seek an external organisation to potentially deliver these services on its behalf, including the support for the community hubs. This follows an approach by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), a not-for-profit organisation interested in running local libraries.
Coun Worth added: “Volunteers would be at the heart of that new-look service, and we have been keeping in close contact with those that have come forward as things developed.
“Because of the challenge from GLL, the executive will also be asked to look at potentially outsourcing our side of things.
“In light of the work that involves, it’s likely to take until the end of 2015 before a final decision is reached on who will run the service.
“I look forward to the views of the scrutiny committee and the debate at the executive meeting. However, I’m confident that the ultimate outcome will be a comprehensive and efficient service that meets the needs of residents.”
The High Court judge agreed that the council’s plans would meet its legal duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient service, he did highlight shortcomings in the way the decision was reached.
The recommendation will be discussed at a meeting of the community and public safety committee on January 27. A final decision will then be taken at a meeting of the council’s executive on February 3.
When I first came to work in Lincolnshire over forty years ago, I thought it was quaint how feudal the county still was. I soon became disillusioned with the system and having read this article, I see nothing has changed. Cllr Worth says “I look forward to the views of the scrutiny committee” but the executive ignored them before and I fully expect them to do so again. This decision is fuelled by political ideology. What has happened to a professionally run library service for the benefit of all Lincolnshire people?
I have the greatest respect and support for volunteers helping in their local library but having to find sources of funding to keep open and at the same time staff a community hub is very different. When the £5,167 running costs are no longer available after the council’s four year period, the hubs are no longer the council’s responsibility. At least thirty to forty community hubs will be looking for sources of funding across Lincolnshire. How many will survive and will they be in the areas that need them most?
“Some local authorities struggle to know how to deliver – they tend to panic, go for closures or volunteers. That will be a disaster.”
(Westminster Media Forum Event: From a speech by William Sieghart.)