Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Civic Services.]

Agreement for corporate landlord capital funds to be allocated to the Hornsey Library project over the next two years to allow essential maintenance works and building fabric improvements to be carried out. Approval is already in place for the internal modifications at Hornsey Library.

The Cabinet Member for Civic Services introduced this report, which recommended revising the scope of the original Hornsey Library scheme to incorporate health & safety improvements and essential building fabric repairs. The existing budget of £1.011m needed to be increased by £2.266 to £3.277m.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that Hornsey Library is a grade ll listed, Council-owned property. It was one of the Council’s three main libraries and an important civic building. The proposed additional capital investment was vital in ensuring the building was in sound structural condition. The capital funds complemented investment in internal refurbishment, and together the whole project should result in a revived library inside and out.

The Cabinet Member continued to refer to the library provision of key services, and contribution to the Council’s corporate priorities. As well as a fine book stock, the library included an exhibition gallery; café area; internal garden and a lovely children’s library. In addition, it provided a home for an amazing collection of musical scores used by orchestras and musicians from around the country.

The library was in a very prominent position, adjacent to Hornsey Town Hall. Renovation of the library will assure its status as a civic institution and would be complemented by the new arts centre being developed as part of the Town Hall renovations.

In response to questions, the following was noted:

·         The funding allocation for other libraries in the borough was set out at section 6.1 of the report. In relation to the flat above Stroud Green library, there was ongoing discussion about how this space could be used. There was a suggestion for residential use and other ideas such as use by writers and artists. The Cabinet Member had met with Friends of Stroud Green library, and was examining how the asset can be utilised and its role as cultural facility extended.

·         In relation to the Capital allocation spending plan for library, the Cabinet Member would check if this includes the ZEN gardens. The Director for Customers, Transformation and Resources advised that there would be some improvement to the public realm outside of the Library and offered to meet with Cllr Morris to talk through the drawings and  proposed plans.

RESOLVED

To approve the virement of £2,266,000 from the Corporate Landlord and Carbon Management budgets over a two-year period. This will allow for critical maintenance; health and safety works and structural and building fabric improvements within Hornsey Library as set out in section 9.1.2 of the report.

Reasons for decision

Hornsey Library is a 55 year old, grade ll listed building. It was designed as a purpose-built working library. The library currently requires a significant amount of maintenance, as it still has many of its original fittings such as the heating system, building fabric (windows, roof and wall cladding), and electrical systems etc. The majority of these are now failing and causing operational and safety issues. There are also accessibility issues to some elements of the building.

The proposed budget increase and associated virement will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77