Agenda and draft minutes

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The Chair referred to the notice of filming at meetings and this information was noted.

The Chair outlined the process for the meeting and attendees noted this information.

There were none.

There were no new items of urgent business, but it was noted that supplementary packs were received which had the relevant documents for consideration for the call-in item 6.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

1. Joint Report of the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer on the Call In  - To follow
2. Cabinet report on Review of Libraries Operating Hours – To follow
3. Cabinet Minutes on Review of Libraries Operating Hours – To follow
4. Copy of the Call In  - To follow
5. Report of the Director for  Culture Strategy and Engagement responding to the Call in – To follow

Cllr Rosetti presented her call-in and the following was noted in her presentation:

-       Before making any changes to library opening hours, it was emphasised that a comprehensive strategy should be in place to ensure the decision aligned with the policy framework and followed proper procedures for major decisions. It was argued that referencing the library service in broader documents or frameworks was not a substitute for having a dedicated library strategy, and warned against disregarding this position, as it could set a dangerous precedent.

-       A detailed strategy was seen as necessary to guide decision-making, addressing key aspects such as the service's purpose, its intended audience, and the rationale behind the changes. For example, the consultation grouped libraries in ways that could impact accessibility for certain residents, such as those who might find it more convenient to use one library over another.

-       Concerns were expressed that reducing library hours without a clear strategy suggested a lack of planning for the future of library services, both in terms of outcomes and potential alternative revenue streams. The introduction of community recycling stations within libraries were cited as one example, questioning how reduced hours would affect initiatives like this and other potential revenue sources, such as charges for using library spaces.

-       The lack of a coherent strategy was seen as detrimental to the service and the community, with decisions impacting the most vulnerable users without proper consideration of the needs and benefits. Concerns were also raised about the absence of co-production in the process, as mentioned in the Cabinet meeting minutes, which contradicted the Council's approved arts and culture strategy. The premature release of a press statement before the Cabinet meeting further suggested that the decision was already predetermined.

-       It was urged that a strategic view was essential before reducing library hours, as it would allow for a clearer understanding of how best to utilize libraries to benefit both the community and taxpayers. They concluded by stressing that such important decisions should not be made without a library services strategy in place, as mandated by the Council's Constitution and best practice in policymaking.

There were questions from the Committee on the call-in and Councillor Rossetti responded as follows:

-       Councillor Rosetti explained that the decision was not in line with the policy framework because a library strategy should have been in place before such decisions were made. While certain principles related to libraries were mentioned in the arts and culture framework, they did not replace a dedicated library strategy. This strategy was clearly outlined in the Council’s Constitution.

It was noted that a library strategy had been recommended in a 2019 peer review, and while acknowledging the impact of COVID, emphasised that there had been sufficient time to develop such a strategy by 2025. The absence of a library strategy before making decisions like this meant that the Council lacked a clear policy framework to guide the process.

-       It was argued that had a library strategy been in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

There were no new items of urgent business.