Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Acting Director of City Development providing the outcomes of the consultation exercise undertaken in relation to the proposals outlined within, ‘A New Chapter for Leeds Libraries’ and seeking to agree the resultant proposals for library provision in the city.

Further to Minute No. 135, 15^th December 2010, the Acting Director of City Development submitted a report providing the outcomes of the consultation exercise undertaken in relation to the proposals outlined within, ‘A New Chapter for Leeds Libraries’ and seeking the Board’s  agreement to the resultant proposals for future library provision in the city.

Further to the recommendations detailed within the submitted report, Members were asked to consider some updated proposals, specifically that Cow Close library remained open for a year whilst further consideration was given to its future, and that Rawdon library remained open for a year whilst further discussions were undertaken with interested parties regarding community asset transfer opportunities.

Members highlighted the importance of the mobile provision and the need to ensure that those users affected by the proposals were able to access such provision.

The report provided details of the reviews which had been undertaken in respect of the impact that the proposals would potentially have on various communities.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the recommendations, as defined within Section 7 of the submitted report, including the changes to the opening hours as identified within paragraph 7.2, modified by the impact of the inclusion of the updated proposals detailed above, be supported. 

(b)  That the change in the method of delivering the library service for 20 libraries, as outlined within paragraph 7.3.1 of the submitted report be approved, with the inclusion of the updated proposals detailed above and as reported at the meeting.

(c)  That mobile provision be developed across the City as outlined within paragraph 7.4 of the submitted report.

(d)  That, for a limited period, a consultation exercise be offered to the community on the asset transfer opportunities for the vacated libraries, and that after this designated period, the asset management team find the best solutions for the buildings.