PAPER C

 

                                                                                                              Purpose : For Decision

                        DECISION UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

 

                        DECISION CANNOT BE TAKEN BEFORE 25 OCTOBER 2004

                                                                                                                                            

Title :               LIBRARY POSITION STATEMENT

                       

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

 

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 

1.      To approve the draft Library Position Statement 2004 and recommend its adoption by the Council

 

BACKGROUND

 

2    The Council is required to submit a Library Position Statement to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) by the end of September each year.  .

 

3.      The Position Statement will be assessed using the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) four point scoring system (1 = Weak, 2 = Fair, 3 = Good, 4 = Excellent).  Two assessment scores will be given according to:

 

·        the quality of the evidence that the Council is providing excellent policies and practice to implement Framework for the Future in line with local needs

·        the quality of the evidence that the Council is meeting the Public Library Standards, in the context of current resource provision.

 

 4.  The Library Service has undergone a significant change, in terms of line management and overall structure, over the past 12 months.  Its revised focus, with a vision that “Libraries inform, inspire and entertain”, shows a commitment to forward thinking and innovation in service delivery.  In addition, the Service is playing a key role in the Council’s GAGS/E-Government agendas.

 

5.      The Statement considers the strengths and weaknesses of the service, in its ability to respond to national policies, under such themes as “Framework for the Future”, “Digital Citizenship” and “Community and Civic Values”.  The Statement then targets areas for improvement in the service.  The Statement also examines the Service’s ability to deliver service within current resources.  The Statement was attached as Appendix 1 to the version of this report as circulated with the Bulletin on Friday 15 October.

 

 

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

 

 

6.      The provision of the Library Service strongly supports the themes of the community strategy relating to:

 

·        guaranteeing the quality of life and sustainability

·        improving access to services and facilities

·        promoting equality

·        developing learning and skills

 

7.      The service also underpins 5 of the Council’s 6 corporate objectives as discussed in detail in the position statement.

 

CONSULTATION

 

8.      The Library Service has not consulted on this Position Statement as it pulls on the corporate performance monitoring data which Members see on a quarterly basis.

 

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

 

9    Where the improvement plans identify the need for additional resources, then revenue bids will be prepared for consideration as part of the 2005/06 budget setting process.

 

10  All other improvements and the delivery of the position statement will be met within existing budget provision.  In this context, any reductions in overall budget will have a direct impact on this and subsequent Position Statements, which could affect the Council’s overall CPA scoring, as discussed above.

 

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

11  Under Section 7 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 the Council has a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.  In 2001 the Government published a set of minimum standards that it expected a public library service to meet in an attempt to give a definition to the term comprehensive and efficient.

 

12  The Annual Library Statement replaced the Annual Library Plan which, under Article 4 of the Council’s Constitution, is part of the budget and policy framework for adoption by Full Council.

 

13  The services are also able to be provided under the Local Government Act 2000, which permits the Council to do anything that it considers will promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of an area, provided that the action taken is relevant to the local community strategy.

 

 

OPTIONS

 

1          To approve the Library Position Statement

2.         To amend the Library Position Statement

 

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

 

14  The Library Position Statement is intended to describe the direction that the Council wishes its Library Service to take in the coming 12 month period.  It is a performance monitoring document required by Government, and the Council could risk intervention in the running of the service by the DCMS, were it not produced.

 

15  The Statement prepared for Members’ consideration today has been drawn from the Libraries’ ongoing performance management process and public consultations required and stipulated by CIPFA.  The Statement ties in closely with the Service Planning process to manage risk within the Service.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

16 That the Library Position Statement be adopted and recommended for adoption by the Council.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

 None

 

Contact Point :           John Metcalfe, Head of Cultural and Leisure Services

                                                ( 823825  email: [email protected]

 

GLEN GARROD

Strategic Director of Adult and Community Services

GORDON KENDALL

Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services