Decision details

Cabinet RESOLVED the following amended recommendations;

2.1 To consider the assessment of local needs undertaken as part of the Libraries Review, detailed in Appendix A to the 31st January Cabinet - Phase 1-2 Report and outlined in paragraph 6.47 below

2.2 To consider the detailed consultation activity undertaken on the proposed Library Service model as outlined in Section 6 of this report and Appendix A titled Library Service Review Phase 3 Report and Appendix B titled Library Service Review Phase 3 Consultation Findings Report.

2.3 To consider the consultation responses and findings on the proposed Library Service model including the areas of concern raised by residents as outlined in section 6 of this report and Appendix B titled Library Service Review Phase 3 Consultation Findings Report and Appendix C – Review of Closure Options Report.

2.4 To consider the equality impact assessments of the proposed Library Service model including the proposed library closures and the action to mitigate the impact on groups with protected characteristics as outlined in Section 6 (6.47 to 6.67) and Section 8 (8.3.1 to 8.3.9) and Appendix D titled Equality Impact Assessment set, and Appendix C titled Review of Closure Options.

2.5 To consider the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny and Overview Committee meeting on 17th September 2024 relating to the proposed Library Service model.

Please note the Executive Response to the Scrutiny recommendations was approved by Cabinet at Item 6. Scrutiny Stage Two.

2.6 To consider whether the proposed Library Service model as set out in Section 6 below would meet the assessed local needs and the duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.

2.7 To agree to adopt the proposed Library Service model set out in Section 6 below and Chapter 5 of Appendix A Library Service Review Phase 3 Report and summary of which are as follows:

a)    To keep open and increase the opening hours to a minimum of 5 days a week and Saturday opening, including a programme of activity aligned to the Library Universal Offers at the following nine libraries:

i)Central Library (Opening days to be increased from 5 to 6 days per week);

ii) Ashburton Library (Opening days to be increased from 4 to 5 days per week);

iii) New Addington (Opening days to be increased from 3 to 5 days per week*);

iv) Selsdon Library (Staffed opening days to increase to from 3 to 5 days per week with two days self service access retained*);

v) Coulsdon Library (Opening days to be increased from 3 to 5 days per week);

vi) Purley Library (Opening days to be increased from 2 to 5 days per week*); vii) Norbury Library (Staffed opening days to increase to from 3 to 5 days per week with two days self service access retained);

viii) South Norwood Library (Opening days to be increased from 2 to 5 days per week*) and

ix) Thornton Heath Library (Opening days to be increased from 3 to 5 days per week)

All libraries will be open five days a week. *including some self-service access. See 6.38 for proposed new timetable.

b) To open all nine listed libraries above with staff on Saturdays.

c) To extend self-service access to Coulsdon and Thornton Heath Libraries.

d) To redevelop South Norwood Library in conjunction with the neighbouring Samuel Coleridge Taylor Youth Centre, delivering a library service alongside the existing Youth Centre and a new Family Hub, introducing self-service access and extending the opening hours to include Saturdays.

e) To redesign the space at New Addington Library to improve the utilisation and alignment with existing Croydon Adult Learning & Training (CALAT) service and to extend the opening hours to include Saturdays.

f) To invest in Purley Library to create classroom/event space for utilisation by CALAT and other VCFS partners and to extend the opening hours to include Saturdays.

g) To develop an outreach service to enable the library service to engage more effectively with non-users, reach areas of need in the borough and mitigate the impact of library closures across the following three strands of provision, and as set out in paragraphs 6.41-6.45 and Chapter 5 of Appendix A – Phase 3 Report: - Home Library Service – a book delivery service for residents unable to visit a library building, care homes and school settings impacted by library closures. - Community events – library service information and promotion at community events and festivals and in schools and settings. - Library Links – a network of community book collections in local venues available alongside weekly drop in sessions of library events and activities.

h) To provide a digital offer including the 24-hour online service offering an extensive collection of stock and materials, learning and reference help and a programme of digital skills support sessions delivered in the libraries and community venues as outlined in paragraph 6.46 and Chapter 5 of Appendix A – Phase 3 Report.

i) To improve the promotion and marketing of the service to better inform and engage residents with the library offer.

j) With effect from the 8th November 2024, to close the following four libraries: Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley.

k) To approve the following general measures to mitigate the impact of the four libraries closures:

• Extended opening hours at the remaining nine libraries to a minimum of 5 days a week, including introducing Saturday opening at all nine libraries and evening opening at two libraries, increasing staffed opening hours overall to 344 per week;

• Provision of a scheduled weekly accessible bus shuttle service for residents with access needs to visit their nearest library;

• Delivery of an outreach service entailing community book collections and weekly events held in community venues with a particular focus on areas of higher deprivation raised during the consultation;

• Provision of book collections for schools most impacted by the closure of libraries;

• Schools local to a library proposed to close will be accommodated for class visits at the next nearest Croydon Libraries;

• Investment in the library service digital offer including training and skills sessions;

• Improved marketing and communication of the service offer to better reach local residents;

• Access for users who are unable to visit a library to use the home library service.

2.8 To agree that the proposed model for the Library Service meets the assessed local needs identified and the duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service and as set out in paragraph 6.46 below.

2.9 To consider and approve the implementation plan outlined from section 6.73 and Chapter 7 of Appendix A Library Service Review Phase 3 Report for delivering the new model and which comprise a transition plan and full community mitigation measures for the four proposed libraries closures.

2.10 To agree to commence a process to consider community operation for sites no longer required for delivery of the statutory library service