Issue - meetings

Bob Harris and Annette Pennington attended the call in and made representations to the Committee on the decision agreed by Cabinet. The following was noted:

-       Appreciation was expressed for the opportunity to present their deputation, acknowledging the Council's challenging financial situation. They highlighted the importance of the Council continuing to press the government for adequate funding. They also requested that the Council explore income generation for libraries and potential savings, referencing a paper submitted by Highgate and Shepherds Hill the previous year with suggestions on cost reductions.

-       The speaker emphasised that libraries in the east of the borough should be prioritized and that all libraries should serve as community hubs. They noted the revised proposals, including the reprieve for Muswell Hill and Hornsey libraries and a 26% reduction in overall cuts to hours. However, they voiced concern over significant cuts to libraries like Stroud Green, Alexandra Park, and Highgate, with opening hours nearly halved, and the closure of Wood Green’s Sunday service.

-       The lack of meaningful consultation was criticised and the limited time to review the new proposals. It was suggested that if libraries had extended hours, they could better serve the borough during the 2027 Year of Culture, contributing to wider participation and long-term goodwill.

-       In conclusion it was requested that the proposal be referred back to the Cabinet for further consultation and emphasized the desire for cooperation between the groups and the Council to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

The following was noted in response to questions from members:

-       The initial consultation with the Council and its officers was queried, it was expressed that it had not been meaningful. They noted a lack of engagement, mentioning that while there was some initial contact, the promised meetings never materialized, and many library groups were only invited to drop-in sessions sporadically. The speaker emphasized that the consultation had been minimal and that the third option, now being proposed, had not been discussed or consulted on.

-       In response to questions about Option 3, Bob Harris clarified that while they did not view it as completely different from the previous options, they felt that there was a perception within the Council that they had been fully consulted, which they disagreed with. They believed that the consultation process could have been more thorough, especially considering the unique needs of each library.

-       When asked about finding a compromise, Bob Harris suggested that they would prefer no cuts but acknowledged the reality of the situation and the necessity of finding ways to balance the budget. They proposed exploring income generation strategies, particularly for libraries that had been recently refurbished, and noted that many of the suggestions made by the Friends groups had not received feedback from the Council. While recognizing the financial pressures on housing and social services, they argued that libraries should remain a priority. They stressed the value libraries provide as free, accessible spaces that contribute to the community's well-being, citing their role in education, health,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16