The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AO”) which sets out the challenges and service response to delivering 2019/20 savings and how they will impact on libraries located in Bradford South.

Recommended –

(1)       Bradford South Area Committee notes the proposed         reorganisation of Bradford Libraries and Museums.  

(2)       Libraries Museums and Galleries Manager will bring a further     report to a meeting within the 2019- 20 municipal year.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Maggie Pedley 01274 432626)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AO”) which set out the challenges and service response to delivering the 2019/20 savings and how they will impact on libraries located in Bradford South.

The Libraries, Museums and Galleries Manager acknowledged that communication from the Library service had been poor, and that the presentation of this report and associated activities was the start of a more progressive relationship with the Area Committee.

She stated that there had been significant changes to the library service following the reductions in Council funding, however the service had managed to retain all 28 libraries, with many run by volunteers.  She added that the intention was to fully review the Library and Museum Service over the summer period, with a view to reorganising back office resources and deploying these more effectively.  One of the aims of the review was not just to provide a library service, but a service that was responsive to the needs of the locality it served, and to this end a cluster model was being proposed, where staff would be deployed more fluidly around a number of libraries.

The Chair welcomed the progress made in the Library Service and the proposed consultation and engagement process.

During the discussion, a Member stated that there should be continuity of service and that opening times needed to be more responsive to local need and demand.  In response the manager for the Service acknowledged the difficulties in certain localities and although the service was carrying some vacancies there had been some difficulties in managing this and she commended the staff for their work during what was a difficult time for the service.  She stressed that one of the outcomes of the review would aim to maximise staff hours as well as deploy staff accordingly, and the proposed cluster model would be more responsive to local need.

In response to a question regarding volunteers, it was acknowledged that the cluster model would aim to be more responsive to local need and that the service would be able to rely on a pool of workers who would get use to working in a wider locality, with a view to replicating the museums model, which had a strong volunteering scheme in place.

In response to a question regarding activities in the Libraries, it was acknowledged that a revamped library service would be more than just about books, and that the space could be utilised for a variety of activities to suit a particular locality, including the provision of adult education classes.

The Chair thanked the Libraries Museums and Galleries Manager for attending the meeting and responding to Members’ questions and he suggested that all Bradford South Councillors should be consulted during the review of the Service, in order they can advise officers on how services could be shaped in their area, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)       That the proposed reorganisation of Bradford Libraries and       Museums be noted.

(2)       That the Libraries Museums and Galleries Manager brings a       further report following the consultation process to the Jan 2020 Meeting of the Area Committee, and that all Bradford South             Councillors be approached as part of the consultation process.

ACTION:       Libraries Museums and Galleries Manager

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment