Agenda item

Report by Director of Communities – attached.

The Committee is asked to understand the background of the Community Hubs Programme, to consider the Strategic Principles and financial implications and to review the engagement and consultation undertaken for the first Community Hub in Worthing.

75.1 The Committee considered a report by Director of Communities (copy appended to signed minutes). 

75.2 Rachel North, Director of Communities, Nicola Bulbeck, Executive Director Communities and Public Protection, Lesley Sim, Head of Libraries Heritage and Registration and Russell Allen, Lead Manager, Library Service introduced the report which gave an overview of the Community Hubs Programme, its strategic principles and financial implications, and outlined the engagement and consultation undertaken for the first Community Hub in Worthing.

75.3 The Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities added that this was an exciting project for libraries and would comprise a myriad of community services in each hub. Although there were current financial restraints, it was important to recognise that this was an opportunity to strengthen the service rather than initiate closures.  

75.4 Ms North added that the library service had already undergone a degree of transformation and integration by incorporating within their buildings various activities, including Children & Family Centres. The programme would be of benefit to both the community and County Council and would overall reduce running costs, offer opportunities to combine workforce and give a more flexible space whilst promoting social health and wellbeing and help towards reducing social isolation. 

75.5 The Committee made comments including those that follow. It:

·        Supported the programme as being an exciting project that would encourage community use, was both innovative and resource-efficient and was pleased to see the closure of libraries prevented within the programme. Also queried what commitment there was to ensure the hubs would be environmentally friendly and suggested that thought be given to the layout of quiet/children’s areas and appropriate receiving space and that any lessons from the Worthing project be learned for future roll-outs. Ms North advised that the County Council would seek to look at sustainability measures. 

·        Raised concerns over the lack of cost figures in the report and that various points previously raised during the Call-in request had not been sufficiently addressed. Ms North advised that there were high level costs specified that included indicative figures and that work was currently being carried out to assess criteria and methodology to see if these were viable. The Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities added she was happy to bring a report back to the Committee once area information and definite figures were available in order to consult with members.

·        Raised concerns over the potential closure of Worthing Library during any works and the effect on those with limited mobility, such as the elderly or disabled in the event of a temporary change of building location, and the level of public communication that would be available. Mrs Sim advised that there had been a long process of engagement and consultation and potential closures may include partial building closures or using temporary. Mr Allen added that further detail would be known once reconfiguration of services had been addressed, but for both access and opening times the public would be informed well in advance. The new proposed Worthing temporary site was very close to the existing building, with current characteristics being protected and the County Council was looking at no exclusion from the alternative provision. The Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities, added that where possible buildings would be kept open, with minimal disruption, and that the public would be kept well informed. 

·        Queried why the Project Board wasn’t cross-party and whether member input would be sought for the ‘Top 10’ list being compiled within the programme. Ms North advised that the ‘Top 10’ list was still being worked on for feasibility and viability and that community impact and sensitivities would be considered. The Project Board would be making their recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities on the ‘Top 10’, but that member input would definitely be sought for local insight. The Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities, added that the list could be changed or altered if necessary and that engagement would be sought with members and the district and borough councils prior to the consultation. Although the project board wasn’t cross-party, local members would be consulted for their area. 

75.6    Resolved – That the Committee:

1)   Supports the objectives and would welcome a list of the next top 10 programmes, their costs and implementation schedules.

2)      Requests a progress report in 6 months’ time with a clear outline of the decision-making points throughout the process, and a copy of the project timeline to be distributed to Committee Members when available.