To agree future delivery options for museum, library and archive services taking into consideration the results of a soft market test for the management of the services, capital works required for Hereford Library, next phase of delivery for the services and the review of the museum services conducted as part of the Resilient funding from Heritage Lottery.

The cabinet member for contracts and assets introduced the report and highlighted:

·         The proposals recognised that the services were important to users.

·         The proposals do not represent a reduction in service.   

·         There has been no reduction in the opening hours of libraries since 2014.   

·         There is a commitment to maintain the current service levels and develop where possible.

·         There is support from the communities for the services. 

·         Unlike many other councils, Herefordshire had invested in the library service and not made any closures.

The assistant director communities went through each recommendation:

Recommendation a  - members may wish to consider investing in the development of a mezzanine floor utilise the space within Hereford Library and Museum for public benefit. Appendix 2 goes into detail of the options. 

Recommendation b - the Black and White House has been generating an income as outlined in the profile of service, though with greater awareness addition attendance could raise ticket sale that can support the museum service to be sustainable.

Recommendation c – this was to ensure that as much of the archives were open to the public as possible as some permissions are not given even though the archive is held by the council.   If families / estates were unwilling to agree to their records being available, then alternative arrangements would be put in place which could include returning to the family, charging for storage, etc. 

Recommendation d – at the moment it is theoretical that there are organisations who would be willing to provide the services.   A procurement exercise would confirm if there was an opportunity to work with a delivery partner based on current standard of service as benchmark

Recommendations e and  f -  these were opportunities to raise income at HARC.    .

Recommendation g –  this was an opportunity to review the schools library service to ascertain the take up of the service and find out what schools require.  

Recommendation h – this was the executive’s response to the recommendations from the general scrutiny committee.   It was noted that the paragraph reference should be to 62 and not 60. 

The cabinet member for finance and corporate services commented that there was sympathy to those who oppose any change to the services but there were challenges for all public and third sector organisations.    It was unlikely that central government would be providing additional funding for these services.    The recommendations would mean that the council would comply with statutory requirements.   The council is  continuing to invest in the libraries with the £230k set out in recommendation (a) but proposed an amendment that the responsible director undertake soft marketing testing to determine demand before going ahead with the investment in order that space is not created that does not benefit to the community.  

During the discussion of the item, the following points were raised: 

·         Herefordshire has a population of 186k  and delivers services over 2,180 sq m.   This compared with the London Borough of Brent which has twice the population and delivers services over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12