Decision details

Proposed Decision:

To determine the future of Library provision in Folkestone town centre for a permanent Folkestone Library and Registration service and the future of the 2 Grace Hill building

Reason for the decision

-      A Key decision is needed to confirm the long term location of Folkestone Library in the town and to determine the future of the 2 Grace Hill building.

Background – Provide brief additional context

-      The Libraries, Registration and Archives Service (LRA) is a statutory and highly valued public service delivered through a network of 99 libraries, five register offices; five mobile libraries, an archive centre, the stock distribution and support function building at Quarrywood, the information service ‘Ask a Kent Librarian’ as well as the 24-hour accessible online service.

-      Folkestone Library is part of Kent’s statutory library service.

-      The temporary closure of the Grace Hill building in December 2022 was on the basis of health and safety grounds. The poor condition of the Grace Hill building has been exacerbated by the listed nature of its construction which has led to complexities to complete pro-active maintenance.

-      The repairs needed to reopen Folkestone Library in the Grace Hill building are now estimated to cost in the region of £2.9 million. This figure was compiled by a KCC surveyor in April 2024.KCC remains under significant financial pressure.

-      The building is listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) under the Localism Act 2011.

Since temporary closure, KCC has investigated various options in respect of the future of the library service within the Town. These investigations culminated in interim key decision 24/00116, which ruled out all options other than:

1)    Sell or issue a long lease [for 2 Grace Hill] to another party and then lease back part of the building

2)    Permanently leave the Grace Hill building and find an alternative town centre location for the library

Decision 24/00116 also authorised commencement of the ACV disposal process to allow open marketing to take place and for bids to be invited, for 2 Grace Hill.

The ACV moratorium period has now elapsed, and a period of 12 weeks of open marketing has also concluded.

The Council is now in possession of sufficient information for an informed decision to be taken on the permanent future of the library service in the Town.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

All options will be considered as part of the decision paper.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

Confirming a permanent Folkestone town centre library location aligns with the Council’s adopted strategy by supporting visible community services and coastal regeneration priorities. It strengthens town centre vibrancy and access to education, which the plan highlights as key for tackling inequality.

The decision will meet the strategy’s “focus on value for money” through a robust financial appraisal, exploring cost efficiency and partner co-location opportunities.

As Cabinet Member for Community & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, I agree to

•                Reaffirm the Council’s commitment to delivering a sustainable, comprehensive town-centre Library and Registration Service in Folkestone.

•                Note the outcome of the 2 Grace Hill Asset of Community Value and marketing process, including the outcome of the KCC evaluation of Creative Folkestone’s proposal alongside other options for the library service.

•                Confirm 14 Sandgate Road as the location of the Folkestone town centre Library and Registration service for the foreseeable future. 

•                Confirm that the Council remains open to considering the location of the library service as part of its ongoing estates management best practice. With the next review now likely to take place in late 2028.

•                Confirm that the Council will progress with open market disposal of the Grace Hill building.

•                Delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in liaison with the Deputy Leader, to finalise terms and enter contracts necessary to implement the decision regarding the Grace Hill building and the Sandgate Road building.