Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member, Learning and Skills

The Select Committee had previously received details on work to reposition and adapt the mobile and travelling library service at its meeting of 1 June 2015. Initial proposals for this service had been developed following an analysis of use, financial performance and six principles that aimed to ensure people with the greatest need continued to have access to the mobile and travelling library service.

Recent analysis had demonstrated that a small percentage of the Staffordshire population were members of the Mobile and Travelling Library Service, being 2.7% of total visits to all Staffordshire Libraries in 2014/15, visits had also declined by 15% during the last four years. Members received details of the communities reached and the current stops made by the Service and of the costs involved.

Public consultation on the proposals had taken place between 1 July and 2 September 2015. 1054 responses had been received to the consultation, which equated to 10% of all registered users and over a quarter of all active borrowers. Over 400 people engaged in public events. 94% of respondents agreed with the principle to continue providing a service to those in greatest need. 52% of respondents indicated the proposed changes would make it more difficult to access the service. 75% of respondents indicated they would continue to use the Mobile and Travelling Library service, with 12% indicating they would use a static library instead.

Members received details of the proposals, which were around the number , and length of  stops, and the routes taken. The Select Committee also received details of changes made as a result of the consultation to proposed routes. 24 people would require a housebound service as a result of the proposals. The loan period would also be extended to four weeks to coincide with the two weekly timetable of travelling library visits. A saving of £350,000 to the annual budget for the Mobile and Travelling Library Service would be realised if the proposed realignment outlined to Members were agreed.

Members asked whether multi use of the vehicles had been considered, working with partners to provide a range of services. Shared use had been undertaken in the past, with an example given of careers guidance information being given.  This shared use would be developed in the future, similarly to existing partnership use within the static library service.

The home reader service was becoming increasingly important, with closer working with adult health and social care. This service also offered wider benefits for service users, often building close supportive relationships.

The Select Committee asked what impact the proposed service changes would have on staffing. There would be a staff reduction, with a 9.28 full time equivalent (fte), leaving 9.81fte staff members.

RESOLVED – That:

a)     the proposed realigned model for Staffordshire’s Mobile and Travelling Library Service be noted;

b)    Officers be congratulated on the thoroughness of this process and their endeavour in amending proposals where appropriate as a result of the consultation findings; and

c)    a future report be brought to the Select Committee analysing how the changes have impacted on service users.