Agenda item

[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 enable the refurbishment project to proceed, reducing the risk of re-work, which could be required with resulting delays if the maintenance is carried out later. It will allow the library to continue to provide modern, fit-for-purpose and fully accessible services, meeting the needs of the local community in the future. The works are due to start on site in January 2019 and take approximately 7-8 months to complete.

The investment into Hornsey Library will mirror the commercial investment into the town hall development and will represent the Council’s commitment to investment into its libraries and infrastructure, retaining a significant well-loved landmark building as a Council asset. The structural works will enable an already well-used facility to continue to function properly into the future.

It is anticipated that investment in new energy equipment and insulation, will reduce operational running costs for the Council through energy consumption and ongoing routine maintenance. The inclusion of solar PV panels will promote the Zero Carbon ambition of the Council to the wider community.

Alternative options considered

A ‘do nothing’ option is not considered appropriate as it would see the building continue to deteriorate and continue to fail the public through building closures from faults such as no heating or leaking roofs/windows, to safety issues from failing masonry panels.

Only carry out internal modifications to improve the service, the original scheme. This was discounted, as it does not address the building condition issues such as the leaking roof and windows, the boiler, which is constantly breaking down; and the external cement wall panels, which are crumbling; or the uneven pavements, which are health and safety risks. If these works were carried out separately later then there would be a significant amount of rework to the newly installed fixtures and finishes, as well as the potential risk of adhoc library closures.

Carry out all maintenance within the building. This option was discounted as it would mean an additional cost of £1,000,000 above this proposal, and it is recognised that there are limited funds within the Council. The building and operational maintenance requirements can be met by the virement funds requested. It is also expected that the remaining works will be carried out over the longer term period and will not have any impact on the proposed scheme.