Agenda item

The Leader advised the meeting that two deputations had been received in relation to item 12 on the agenda, proposed relocation of Highgate Library service.

Deputation 1 -Save Highgate Library

The first deputation was from the Save Highgate Library Group, and the Leader invited the group’s deputation spokesperson, Natasha Sivanandan to put forward the group’s representations.

The group was in opposition to the relocation of Highgate Library service and to the potential future disposal of the site. They referred to the gathering local concern about the future of Highgate Library, reflected in a petition that had collected over 2000 signatures in a three-week period.

Ms Sivanandan spoke about the benefits of the Highgate Library for the community and attributed reduced attendance to the closure of the Library on Saturdays. It was further contended that adding a Library service to a multiple use arts centre would not work well and there was no obligation on Jacksons Lane to provide a Library on site.

The group questioned the public engagement being led by the architect as they felt this constituted a conflict of interest. They questioned why a Council led public consultation had not been held before an in principle decision was being put forward to Cabinet.

It was felt that taking an in principle decision to relocate the Library and dispose of the Highgate Library building was premature and would be difficult to deescalate once taken, and would also not allow consideration in future to opposing views.

The group called on the Cabinet to consider the unique aspects of Highgate Library, the important role of libraries in the community and asked Cabinet not to ignore the views of local people. They asked that no in principle decisions are taken before a public consultation exercise.

The Leader thanked the deputation party and responded to the representations.

The Leader began by highlighting the cuts imposed on Councils over the last 7 years which had resulted in a 40% reduction in Council budgets and meant the Council had had to re-assess how it delivered services. The Council had always been committed to a universal public service offer and Libraries were at the core of this offer as a place to learn and socialise. The Cabinet report highlighted the care given to Library provision and the fact that no Libraries had closed in the past 7 years was evident of this commitment.

However, it was important for the Council to give regard to the falling numbers of Library visitors, across the country and the new and emerging priorities for local people, also ensuring that Libraries were fit for purpose in the 21^st century.

The Leader further emphasised that the arrangement being sought with Jacksons Lane Arts Centre was co-location of the Library and not a merger. A feasibility study was being conducted to ensure that there was dedicated space for the Library that is accessible and allows quite study and social activities. The feasibility study was being conducted with an open mind, expected to complete by the end of July/ early August. An in principal decision was being sought to provide the Arts Council some certainty that co-location was being explored, to aid JLAC’s capital funding bid.

The Leader was clear that if the feasibility study did not find the co location suitable, it would not be taken forward and the £1m capital funding found elsewhere by the Council to support Jackson’s Lane Art Centre bid.

Deputation 2- Highgate Library Action Group

The Leader invited Sue Chinn to put forward the representations of the Highgate Library Action Group.

• The Group felt that the decisions being taken by Cabinet were premature before a feasibility study was completed and asked that the report be withdrawn.

• The Group commended the petition that was being collated by the Save the Highgate Library Group which had encouraged more users to the Library.

• The Group were unhappy with the report mentioning the disposal of the Library before a feasibility study had been completed. They felt that this undermined the process and was pre determination . This also resulted in a lack of future security for the Highgate Library service with these decisions on record .

• The Deputation contended that a co-location exercise would still need involve engagement with HLAG and Jacksons Lane Art Centre Group before an agreement was reached therefore an in principle decision should not be taken. HLAG further questioned what would happen to the Library if the Jacksons Lane site was sold.

• The Deputation also felt that the public did not trust the process, as although the Council were not disposing of the building, at the present time, the recommendations gave them the option of doing this at a later date.

• The Group further questioned the future of Highgate Library with the decisions being put forward and the precedence of these decisions for other small llibraries that may have disability access issues.

The Leader thanked the deputation and recognised the Highgate Library Action Group had dedicated a lot of time energy along to supporting the Library over the years.

The Leader reiterated that, if the scheme to relocate the existing Highgate Library service to Jacksons Lane Arts Centre proves not to be feasible, the Council will not dispose of the existing Library site and will find the £1m capital match funding for Jackson’s Lane elsewhere. If the feasibility study was positive, on the co-location, then the Library service would need to fully relocate before the existing site is disposed of.