To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, paragraph 29 of the Council’s constitution.
Minutes:
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, and social care. They expressed hope that the upcoming Year of Culture could showcase libraries' potential as community hubs and advocated for a more inclusive approach to local services.
Councillor Arkell responded to the deputation; the following was noted:
- Councillor Arkell disagreed with points particularly in relation to the consultation process. They pointed out a contradiction in the claims made, highlighting a discrepancy about whether a consultation meeting had occurred. The speaker then outlined the extensive consultation process regarding library opening hours, which took place between August 29th and October 10th. This consultation aimed to gather evidence on how residents used libraries, focusing on hours and services.
- Feedback indicated a preference for lunchtime openings, consistent hours, and prioritization of evening and Sunday hours, all of which were incorporated into Option 3. Despite delays caused by election timing, the consultation was inclusive, transparent, and responsive to residents' input. The consultation had been initially planned for earlier in the year but was postponed avoiding clashing with the summer holidays and elections. A total of 1,362 responses were received, including both online and hard-copy submissions, all of which were manually entered and made publicly available.
- Throughout the process, the Council engaged with four key groups and individual Friends groups. Invitations were sent to all groups, and efforts to promote the consultation included social media outreach, newsletters, and targeted community events. Hard copies of consultation documents were made available in libraries, and materials were translated where necessary.
- The consultation followed the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's guidelines, ensuring it was informative and meaningful. It was emphasised that no complaints were received regarding insufficient time for responses, and no extension requests were made. After reviewing the consultation feedback, the Cabinet discussed the matter thoroughly before approving the recommendations, with a detailed report published on the Council website.