Issue - meetings

This report looks at the recently completed Library Service Review and in particular changes to the opening hours of Bookham and Ashtead libraries.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) resolved to agree:

      i.        to change the opening hours for Ashtead and Bookham libraries as set out in Annex 2 and paragraphs 3 and 9 of this paper subject to review with further information being provided to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member for Ashtead, to finalise opening hours.

Reasons for decision:

Members were concerned about the loss of later opening hours on Tuesday and Thursday at both libraries. Information was requested regarding the number of evening visitors to those local libraries which still offer later opening hours.

The Chairman brought forward Item 10 of the agenda to accommodate questions from members of the public.

Declarations of Interest:

None

Officers attending: Simon Harding – SCC Library Service (SH)

Petitions, Public Questions and Statements:

Jean Bradley from the Ashtead Residents’ Association raised the issue of evening opening hours. If the proposals went ahead, the library would be losing both late evenings (Tuesday and Thursday) and questioned the survey of usage on which the proposals were based.

Cllr Northcott, queried the fact that there had been no consultation on the changes and challenged the premise for the standardisation of opening hours.

Peter Seaward (Bookham Residents’ Association) also objected to the loss of evening opening hours at the Bookham library.

Members’ discussion – key points

SH explained that the aim was to concentrate on the core opening hours and that both Dorking and Epsom libraries would be open during the evening.

Chris Townsend doubted that residents would travel to other locations in the evening and asked the Library Service to provide the evening visitor figures for Epsom and Dorking for comparison. An amended recommendation was proposed by Chris Townsend, seconded by the Chairman and subsequently agreed by Members.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) resolved to agree:

      i.        to change the opening hours for Ashtead and Bookham libraries as set out in Annex 2 and paragraphs 3 and 9 of this paper subject to review with further information being provided to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member for Ashtead, to finalise opening hours.

Reasons for decision:

Members were concerned about the loss of later opening hours on Tuesday and Thursday at both libraries. Information was requested regarding the number of evening visitors to those local libraries which still offer later opening hours.