Agenda item

The reasons for the call-in are:-

·         To discuss and explore the further implications of closing 6 libraries and the impact on related services such as Children’s Centres.

·         To consider the implications for schools and education.

·         In the case of Barham Park Library consider implications for the Park and its Green Flag status.

·         Consider implications on young people of loss of local study place and request members of the Youth Parliament to comment on this.

·         In the case of Neasden library consider the implications of the loss of learning space.

·         In the case of Cricklewood and Kensal Rise libraries consider the implications of the covenants and alternative uses of the libraries.

·         In the case of Tokyngton library to consider the pedestrian access to the new Civic Centre library from the Monks Park area.

·         To consider and receive full information on the size, cost of space, fitting out, opening hours and staffing costs of the proposed Civic Centre library.

The Executive report is attached.  The Lead Member and Lead Officer are invited to attend the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The reasons for the call-in were:-

·         To discuss and explore the further implications of closing 6 libraries and the impact on related services such as Children’s Centres.

·         To consider the implications for schools and education.

·         In the case of Barham Park Library consider implications for the Park and its Green Flag status.

·         Consider implications on young people of loss of local study place and request members of the Youth Parliament to comment on this.

·         In the case of Neasden library consider the implications of the loss of learning space.

·         In the case of Cricklewood and Kensal Rise libraries consider the implications of the covenants and alternative uses of the libraries.

·         In the case of Tokyngton library to consider the pedestrian access to the new Civic Centre library from the Monks Park area.

·         To consider and receive full information on the size, cost of space, fitting out, opening hours and staffing costs of the proposed Civic Centre library.

Members had before them the Executive report on the Libraries Transformation Project.  With the approval of the Chair, Richard Cross, a Kensal Rise resident, addressed the committee.

Richard Cross began by expressing regret at the proposed closure of Kensal Rise Library, stating that most residents were not aware of these plans at this stage.  Of the residents who were aware of the proposal, most were against the library’s closure and its users were concerned about the implications of this.  Members heard that Kensal Rise Library was located in a densely populated area in which the land it occupied had been provided by Oxford University All Souls College to use the site for this purpose under a covenant agreement. A previous attempt to close the library 12 years previously had failed because of this agreement.  The library had been opened by Mark Twain in 1900 and provided vital facilities for users, especially those who otherwise had no access to computers and to parents and their children.  Library staff also helped users in a number of other ways, such as assisting with drafting job applications.  During the Libraries Transformation Project, Richard Cross felt that the library had been neglected and the first floor of the building had been closed.  However, demand for the library remained and he asked that the decision be re-considered.  

In reply, Councillor Powney (Lead Member for Environment, Planning and Culture) informed Members that at a recent public meeting about the future of Kensal Rise Library, public interest had been expressed in taking over the running of the library and the council was happy to discuss this possibility with any groups.  Members noted that consent would be required from Oxford University All Souls College for any change of use under the covenant.  Councillor Powney advised that the annual cost of £200,000 to operate the library was high and the building presented a number of practical difficulties, such as the first floor not providing disabled access.  The library also presently had the lowest number of visitors in the borough and if the building was taken over by another organisation to operate as a library it would face challenging circumstances and would need to make significant changes.  Councillor Powney confirmed that the public consultation with regard to the proposals had been agreed by the Executive and the outcome of the consultation would be reported back to the Executive in April 2011.  With regard to the reason for call-in concerning Brent Youth Parliament, Councillor Powney confirmed that they had also been asked to make comments on the proposals and presentations were taking place at the Area Consultative Forums and Service User Consultative Forums.

During Members’ discussion, Councillor H B Patel enquired whether the proposals to close the libraries identified would be reversed if the consultation had shown overwhelming opposition to the closures.  He sought details with regard to costs of recent refurbishments to the libraries that were due to close and further comments about the covenant agreement with regard to Kensal Rise Library.  Councillor H B Patel queried what defined a library being poorly located, commenting that Preston Road Library, proposed for closure, was located along a busy High Street.  He stressed the importance of the service to residents provided by libraries and residents were displeased at the proposed closures.

Councillor Lorber referred to the consultation document in Brent Magazine and stated that there had been no specific mention of the proposed six library closures but a reference to there being fewer buildings.  He enquired what other areas of the council were involved in the libraries proposals.

Councillor Powney responded that the consultation had been well publicised and local newspapers had run a series of articles on the libraries that were being proposed for closure.  He advised that although a consultation was being undertaken to seek residents’ views, ultimately any decision with regard to the libraries would be made by the Executive.  Councillor Powney confirmed that the Children’s Centres, Property and Asset Management and Legal and Procurement Services were also involved in the libraries proposals.  The Head of Libraries Arts and Heritage had overall responsibility for the future of libraries whilst Children and Families were responsible for school building projects.  Councillor Powney added that the proposals needed to be seen in the context of the council needing to achieve unprecedented savings due to grant cuts and other cuts and such savings would continue to be required in subsequent years.

Sue McKenzie (Head of Libraries Arts and Heritage) advised that the Neasden Library refurbishment carried out in 2008 cost £350,000 and Barham Library refurbishment £250,000, although this was provided by lottery funding.  She commented that mini consultations with other areas of the council had also been undertaken and discussion with regard to future investments in the Children’s Centres was taking place.

Members then decided against Councillor Lorber’s proposals to recommend to the Executive that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects investigate using the libraries, including those proposed closure, for additional uses; that Children and Families look at using libraries as learning centres for those children not currently placed in school and that all other areas of the council be encouraged to look at how they could use libraries.

RESOLVED:-

that upon considering the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services, the decisions made by the Executive be noted.