The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing reported on proposals for the relocation of the Library service from the T?’r Ardd premises and also the need to plan for the longer term in regard to mobile Library services and develop new approaches to sustain the provision of Library services including co-location opportunities as identified within the medium term financial strategy.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet that the MTFS identifies further savings from library and cultural facilities and related services, including reviewing the number of facilities (libraries, community centres) and also reductions in services or opening hours.  She stated that some of the £150,000 savings identified between 2019–2021 have been found, there remained a shortfall of £70,000 which needed to be identified. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing reported that a number of imminent decisions were required to sustain an efficient and effective approach to Library services operation.  An interim relocation of the Local and Family History was required due to the planned closure of the T?’r Ardd building to release a capital receipt.  She stated that the facility attracts 6,000 visits per annum and there were 3,500 bookings for ICT sessions at the site in 2018.  Discussions had taken place with Awen to identify a suitable and cost effective location, with “Y Llynfi Library” at Maesteg Sports Centre being identified.  The facilities had sufficient space to support an interim service and an ICT suite is also in existence.  Following the redevelopment of Maesteg Town hall, it was planned to co-locate the local and family history service within the new facilities to support long term sustainability of library and cultural services. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing also reported on proposals to support the longer term sustainability of mobile library services.  She stated that Awen currently operate two approaches to mobile Library service provision, namely the large mobile Library vehicle which operates 10 routes, supporting 361 individuals every 3 weeks and the ‘Booklink’ service supporting 282 customers who are housebound with visits every 5 weeks.  The current larger mobile library vehicle is 11 years old, experiencing periodic failures and a replacement would cost in the region of £120,000.  Awen have identified a crossover of users and opportunities for a more flexible and innovative approach and propose an increase in the number and range of mobile library services with smaller vehicles.  This would be at Awen’s cost.  The proposal would see a standardised 5 week timetable established as per the current Booklink scheme with existing mobile Library users transferred to the new service. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing also reported that the MTFS had identified the need to reduce the management fee payable to Awen by £150,000 between 2019 and 2021 based on reviewing the number of libraries and also reductions in services or opening hours.  She highlighted examples of where a co-located approach to services had been cost effective.  Work was in progress for the co-location of Library facilities within the redevelopment of Maesteg Town Hall and a feasibility study of opportunities in Porthcawl for co-location. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet that the partnership with Awen had deliveredthe targeted £625,000 of efficiencies within the first three years of the contract equating to 17% of the original budget.  In addition, by integrating the management of Wood B / B Leaf facilities into the contract, a further £120,000 of efficiencies became deliverable by the Social Services and Wellbeing Directorate.

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations stressed the importance of libraries in peoples’ wellbeing and was pleased to see continued investment in library facilities, whereas many local authorities had closed their facilities.  The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help commented that the County Borough had a library service to be proud of. 

The Cabinet Member Communities questioned the number of smaller vehicles Awen proposed to purchase.  The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing to inform Cabinet as to the number of smaller vehicles to be purchased for the mobile Library service.

RESOLVED:                That Cabinet:

• Approved BCBC and Awen taking forward the interim relocation of the Local and Family History service to Y Llynfi, Maesteg based on the need to vacate the T?’r Ardd building following its disposal;

• Approved the medium term relocation of the  Local and Family History service to Maesteg Town Hall as a more appropriate and sustainable venue following completion of  the significant capital investment works;
• Approved BCBC and Awen to progress the proposed approach to mobile Library services based on the improved flexibility and support that could be achieved and recognising that the proposal sustains mobile library services. The proposed mobile service also removes any potential capital investment required from the Council. The service would be subject to review within a 12 month period;

Approved BCBC and Awen to review the indicative costs and potential efficiencies of co-locating additional Library or other services related to the Awen partnership but also to identify the potential implications of a reduction of facilities and opening hours. Any proposals will be subject to a further report.