Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet agrees the introduction of Open Access technology in thirteen  libraries across the county.
2. That Cabinet agrees an initial capital allocation of £345k from the £1.8m identified in the Capital Pipeline.
3. That Cabinet agrees the proposed approach to a phased introduction of Open Access in additional libraries.
4. That Cabinet delegates to the Capital Programme Panel (CPP) the approval of any subsequent release of funding, within the overall envelope identified in the Capital Pipeline and subject to a robust business case.

Reasons for Decisions:

Cabinet agreement to introduce Open Access technology into libraries is essential to unlock the full potential of library buildings, increasing access beyond the current opening hours, and empowering communities to reap wider benefit from using these valuable community assets. Thirteen libraries have been prioritised, based on analysis of where there is greatest opportunity to achieve positive impact, and with a good geographic spread across the county. Careful analysis of usage, cost and revenue generation opportunity from the initial thirteen will inform the proposal and business case for future phases of implementation.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee)

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities who explained that Cabinet were being asked to agree the introduction of Open Access technology into libraries. Open Access was technology that enables increased and flexible access to buildings, through library membership-based door entry systems and associated security features. Open Access would increase the ability of libraries to meet the needs of communities, support wider strategic priorities, and be fit and sustainable for the future. There would be an initial capital allocation of £345k from the £1.8m identified in the Capital Pipeline. The Open Access technology would be introduced into thirteen libraries with the expectation that the rest of the libraries would have access to the technology in 2-3 years’ time. There was support from Cabinet on the item and a recognition that libraries would become community hubs. Will Forster queried what difference this technology would make to residents, the evidence base for introducing this technology and what reductions would be made to staffing as a result of this. The Cabinet Member for Communities stated that this work was being done as residents had asked for libraries to be open later and for longer. There were no planned redundancies but open technology would enable staff to work smarter.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet agrees the introduction of Open Access technology in thirteen  libraries across the county.
2. That Cabinet agrees an initial capital allocation of £345k from the £1.8m identified in the Capital Pipeline.
3. That Cabinet agrees the proposed approach to a phased introduction of Open Access in additional libraries.
4. That Cabinet delegates to the Capital Programme Panel (CPP) the approval of any subsequent release of funding, within the overall envelope identified in the Capital Pipeline and subject to a robust business case.

Reasons for Decisions:

Cabinet agreement to introduce Open Access technology into libraries is essential to unlock the full potential of library buildings, increasing access beyond the current opening hours, and empowering communities to reap wider benefit from using these valuable community assets. Thirteen libraries have been prioritised, based on analysis of where there is greatest opportunity to achieve positive impact, and with a good geographic spread across the county. Careful analysis of usage, cost and revenue generation opportunity from the initial thirteen will inform the proposal and business case for future phases of implementation.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee)