Agenda item

Library Review

It was moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy, that this Council:-

(a)       notes the unprecedented number of petitions and signatures in support of branch libraries, and the expressions of commitment, passion and willingness from the people of Sheffield;

(b)       recognises the enormous value of the network of libraries in the community, especially on the educational attainment levels of children in less affluent areas;

(c)        recognises the increasing need for free public internet access by people looking for work and claiming benefits, as well as the impact of libraries on nearby shops and business;

(d)       notes the serious pressure on the Council from central Government cuts but also recognises the range of choices still available in Sheffield, at whatever level of financial commitment;

(e)       believes the proposed model for community and independent libraries - which requires volunteers to both manage and finance a library service – is too rigid to be workable;

(f)        believes a better approach would allow for volunteers to take part in an integrated, city-wide and established network of library services and in all libraries, not just a few; and

(g)       therefore, urges the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion to bring forward different proposals from those consulted on, that take account of Sheffield residents’ willingness to participate in a genuine community-based city-wide library service, and recognise the need for co-ordination and other input by librarians and other paid staff.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Mazher Iqbal, seconded by Councillor Geoff Smith as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended bythe deletion of paragraphs (d) to (g) and the addition of new paragraphs (d) to (j) as follows:-

(d)       recognises that the Council is facing an unprecedented level of cuts from Central Government meaning that by 2015/16 the Council will have had an overall reduction in Government formula funding by 50% and recognises that with this level of funding reductions all services across the Council will be seriously affected;

(e)       recognises that over the past three years, the Council has done everything possible to make budget reductions in libraries without making substantial changes to the service, however recognises that with the level of cuts now facing the Council, this is no longer possible;

(f)        welcomes that the Council is looking to find new ways of delivering library services given the serious situation facing libraries nationally and notes reports stating that over 400 libraries have closed nationally and 1000 are estimated to close by 2016;

(g)       further notes that the consultation on the library review has now closed and the Council is listening to the responses ahead of bringing forward proposals to Cabinet;

(h)       notes that the Council has received comments about the independent model from the groups looking to run libraries and will take on board these comments as it responds to the consultation;

(i)         recalls that the proposal by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion that the results of the consultation be brought to scrutiny before a decision is made, was agreed by the Council last month; and

(j)         welcomes that the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion has already indicated that he is listening to concerns that have been raised about the Independent Model based on the feedback from the consultation and recognises that decisions about the library review will be made at Cabinet on 19th February, 2014.

On being put to the vote the Amendment was carried.

After a right of reply from Councillor Jillian Creasy, the original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED:  That this Council:-

(a)       notes the unprecedented number of petitions and signatures in support of branch libraries, and the expressions of commitment, passion and willingness from the people of Sheffield;

(b)       recognises the enormous value of the network of libraries in the community, especially on the educational attainment levels of children in less affluent areas;

(c)        recognises the increasing need for free public internet access by people looking for work and claiming benefits, as well as the impact of libraries on nearby shops and business;

(d)       recognises that the Council is facing an unprecedented level of cuts from Central Government meaning that by 2015/16 the Council will have had an overall reduction in Government formula funding by 50% and recognises that with this level of funding reductions all services across the Council will be seriously affected;

(e)       recognises that over the past three years, the Council has done everything possible to make budget reductions in libraries without making substantial changes to the service, however recognises that with the level of cuts now facing the Council, this is no longer possible;

(f)        welcomes that the Council is looking to find new ways of delivering library services given the serious situation facing libraries nationally and notes reports stating that over 400 libraries have closed nationally and 1000 are estimated to close by 2016;

(g)       further notes that the consultation on the library review has now closed and the Council is listening to the responses ahead of bringing forward proposals to Cabinet;

(h)       notes that the Council has received comments about the independent model from the groups looking to run libraries and will take on board these comments as it responds to the consultation;

(i)         recalls that the proposal by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion that the results of the consultation be brought to scrutiny before a decision is made, was agreed by the Council last month; and

(j)         welcomes that the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion has already indicated that he is listening to concerns that have been raised about the Independent Model based on the feedback from the consultation and recognises that decisions about the library review will be made at Cabinet on 19th February, 2014.

Note:1. Councillors Simon Clement-Jones, Shaffaq Mohammed, Rob Frost, Colin Ross, Joe Otten, Penny Baker, Diana Stimely, Roger Davison, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Denise Reaney, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Anders Hanson, Katie Condliffe, David Baker and Trevor Bagshaw voted for paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) and against paragraphs (d) to (j) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.

2. Councillors Robert Murphy and Jillian Creasy voted for Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (f) to (j) and against Paragraphs (d) and (e) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)