Decision details

The Director, Public Services, Protection & Communities provided Members with feedback received from the consultation initiated by Cabinet in relation to the proposed changes to the Mobile Library Service.

Members were reminded of the proposals considered at the Cabinet meeting on the 22^nd March, 2018 and the consultation process undertaken between 8^th May and 3^rd July 2018, with  389 questionnaires returned. An overview of the feedback was provided by the Head of Community Services who also advised of recent developments with the service in respect of the purchase of two new vehicles due to the significant further deterioration in the performance of the library vehicles since the last report to Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being & Cultural Services referenced the service provided which was always well regarded and commented on the need to review the service going forward, due to the decline in numbers and maintenance cost of the vehicles. The Cabinet Member commented that such a review allowed the opportunity to look at the viability and sustainability of the service going forward and the collaboration and interaction with other services.  The Cabinet Member welcomed the @homelibraryservice which he added would be able to  accommodate an additional 100-130 customers without requiring additional resources.  The cabinet Member concluded by adding that taking forward the proposal would ensure that the Council were investing for the future.

The Leader of the Council referred to the other libraries supported by the Authority, in addition to the mobile provision and added that the level of provision exceeded what other local Authorities were providing.  He added

That the proposal to move to longer stops would mean more meaningful stops were being provided.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services also spoke in support of the proposals and commented on the library provisions supported by the Authority within the schools.  He added that the  modern facilities including digital progression with wifi upon the new vehicles would  also be a welcome introduction for residents of the Authority.

With the permission of the Chair, County Borough Councillor G Davies spoke on this item, to which officers responded.

Following Discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the consultation report (attached as appendix 1 to the report), which includes details of items of correspondence received during the consultation exercise and notes of the various meetings held

2.      To implement the proposed changes that were consulted on as follows: 

a)     Reduce the number of existing vehicles used for delivery of the Mobile Library Service from 3 to 2.

b)     Invest in two new purpose built vehicles, which unlike the existing service vehicles, would have onboard access to Wi-Fi and be suitable from which to provide other Council information services.

c)     Change the method of delivery from 393 short stops per fortnight to 48 longer stops every three weeks that would enable the service to expand the range of provision available on the vehicles.

d)     Extend the scope of access to, and rebrand the Library Housebound Service to the @HomeLibraryService.