Agenda item

This report sets out for comment the detailed business case for the integration of the library services of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster as agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 20 June 2011.

The Committee received and considered the detailed business case for the integration of the Council’s library service with those of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

Chris Bunting, Head of Parks and Recreation, informed the Committee that the proposals, approved at Cabinet on 20 June 2011, would help sustain frontline services, enhance resilience, provide greater staff development opportunities and improve the customer experience through the offering of a wider range of books and specialist collections and a consistency of service standards across the thee boroughs. The shared service would be delivered in four phases as set out below;

Phase 1; creation and approval of detailed business case

Phase 2; implementation of single management structure and design of single operational structure

Phase 3; implementation of single operational structure

Phase 4; consideration of alternatives for new delivery or trading options

Total savings were forecast at £1.107m, of which £270,493 was attributable to Hammersmith and Fulham.

Councillor Robert Iggulden enquired whether the opportunity had been taken to fundamentally review not only staffing structures but also the purpose of library provision in the 21^st century, in particular the balance of traditional reading and book lending with digital media and new forms of engagement. He further asked whether it was felt that libraries or schools should be responsible for childrens’ reading opportunities.

Mr Bunting confirmed that all three Authorities had re-examined their core principles during the course of the exercise. The pattern of library usage was changing with the number of visitors remaining constant but book lending in decline. Childrens activities in the libraries were highly popular and quickly filled to capacity. Shared services provided the chance to develop more innovative community events which would attract further visitors to the libraries.

Councillor Lisa Homan expressed concern at the proposal’s lack of focus on the customer. Mr Bunting responded that the changes should be seamless from the customer perspective but acknowledged that there needed to be an exercise to communicate the positive service aspects to residents. In response to a further question from Councillor Homan he confirmed that books would be available for lending across all three Borough’s stocks. The respective Boroughs all had different IT systems but it was possible that Hammersmith and Fulham’s would be adopted as the common platform. Councillor Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents Services, commented that local levels of service would be maintained with each Authority’s libraries continuing to reflect existing differences in approach to provision. Back office structures and processes would not be noticed by customers.

Councillor Homan also asked about the extent to which staff had been involved in the development of the proposals and, in particular, the implications of salary harmonisation. The Committee was informed that engagement had taken place with staff at some levels but a wider programme was now being rolled out. For example over 100 library staff from across the three boroughs were due to attend a joint event at Westminster on 18^th July. The impact of salary harmonisation was not yet known.

Councillor Gavin Donovan enquired whether there was scope for more community use of libraries. Mr Bunting confirmed that discussions were currently taking place with voluntary organisations regarding the utilisation of space at Barons Court.

Councillor Homan asked whether any independent advice had been sought on the shared service arrangements. Councillor Smith replied that it was not the intention to spend substantial sums on consultancy support. Normal internal processes which provided opportunities for advice from relevant Officers and Members had been applied in the development of the proposals.

Responding to another question from Councillor Homan, Mr Bunting confirmed that local commissioning responsibilities would probably sit with the four senior management posts being created for the service. Job descriptions were currently being worked up for these roles.

In response to a question from a member of the public, Councillor Smith confirmed that six libraries would continue to be maintained in Hammersmith and Fulham. Four of these would be managed by the Council and funded by Library Services with Barons Court and Sands End operating as community led centres staffed by volunteers, possibly in conjunction with local host schools. Councillor Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Asset Management, was of the view that at a time when many Council’s were cutting services it was a significant achievement to be in a position to maintain or even improve provision while also delivering savings.