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Scrutiny committee green lights decision for Camden libraries future

Date: 20/7/11

The proposal for the future of Camden’s library service agreed by Cabinet in June was given the go-ahead by the Council scrutiny committee last night, 18 July, following a request for the decision to be reconsidered.

In the face of £80-£100million of central government cuts over the next three years, Camden’s Cabinet agreed an innovative approach to maintain a well resourced libraries service for the future.

The agreed proposal includes the following changes to the library service:

* Working with the community and local organisations to explore alternative delivery
          models for Belsize, Chalk Farm and Heath libraries;
* Develop alternative provision for Regents Park and review the use of space within
          Highgate library, providing accommodation for community activities and
          organisations alongside a smaller public library provision;
* All other libraries to reduce opening hours by 10%;
* Fewer activities, increase in charges, reduction in stock and staff.

In addition to these changes, a number of essential core savings have also been agreed, including a reduction in management costs, to enable the savings target of £1.6million to be met.

Cabinet also resolved that the Council will ensure that the local archives service will remain within the borough and agreed to reduce the required savings from this service from £135,00 to £70,000.

Councillor Tulip Siddiq, Cabinet Member for Culture, Camden Council said:

“The financial situation has been widely documented. We are facing a £83 million shortfall in council funding over the next three years. The cuts from national government mean that we have to make savings on all the services we provide.

“These decisions have been extremely difficult and we are keen to work with organisations to develop creative proposals and protect the library service in the face of central government cuts.
“I hope all library users will play an active role in supporting the transition process.”

The changes agreed will be implemented over the next two and a half years. Officers are now working to establish information sessions to explain how organisations can submit proposals.