Agenda item

James Pearson (Head of service, Libraries, Registration & Archives) was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Hill, OBE (Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services) introduced the update report to Members which highlighted the progress that had been made to drive the Libraries, Registration and Archives (LRA) Strategy forward since its implementation in March 2019. Mr Hill commended the service on its ability to save £1m out of the LRA budget without causing significant disruption along with the successful implementation of reduced library opening times. Mr Hill paid further tribute to LRA for achieving a significant reduction in employees as a result of the revised library opening times, without the need for any compulsory redundancies.

2.    Mr Pearson highlighted the key developments that would be delivered over the next year, including new LRA branding, a new mobile library vehicle and improved IT infrastructure. Mr Pearson also announced that the Gravesend Library that had undergone urgent repair work was due to re-open on Monday 20 January 2020.

3.    The officer responded to comments and questions as follows:

(a)  In response to Members queries relating to the replacement of IT equipment and whether this would be recycled for use within other services/ external organisations, Mr Pearson agreed to liaise with the IT department and to circulate a response to Members in due course.

(b)  Mr Pearson addressed Members comments regarding access to libraries outside of staffing hours and said that LRA had launched a new and consistent approach across the county as to how members of the public could access and utilise the library space outside of the core operating hours. However, Mr Pearson assured the Committee that LRA continued in its commitment to provide a safe, attractive and welcoming space for everyone’s use and welcomed support from Members to promote and encourage residents to maximise the space available. Mr Pearson also referred to the Library Extra Pilot which utilised technology assisted opening to allow library customers (aged 16 and over) with a full membership card to access the library outside of staffed hours. Upon completion of the pilot period a strategy would be devised and gradually rolled out across the county to ensure consistency across all LRA services. 

(c)  In response to the anticipated time scale for the introduction of the new mobile library fleet, Mr Pearson confirmed that the first new vehicle was expected at the beginning of the next financial year (April 2020) and said that this would be announced in due course. Mr Pearson addressed comments relating to the environmental impact of the new vehicles and said that whilst it had not been possible to source an alternative fuel/ hybrid vehicle, a significant degree of work had been done in conjunction with Kent County Council’s Sustainability and Highways Teams to ensure that the vehicles procured were as environmentally friendly as possible.

(d)  Members commended Mr Pearson and the LRA staff for their achievements.

4.    It was RESOLVED that the progress made in the delivery of the LRA strategy, be noted.