THAT:

(a)         For Customer Services and Libraries, Option 2 (Core Service with Top Up) be implemented as a preliminary decision;

(b)         For the Museum service, Option 2 (Reduced Service Option) as a preliminary option be implemented whilst Option 3 (discussions with existing trusts) be commenced; and

(c)         The Director for Economy, Communities and Corporate services, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Enterprise and Community and Corporate and Assets, be delegated to finalise details of the options to be implemented.

To enable actions to be progressed to deliver in year budget savings and ensure that council resources are prioritised to support those in need of services.  The recommendation considers the findings from the equalities impact and needs assessment, and specifically the customer feedback via the impact survey and comments from stakeholder focus groups.

For the museum service the chosen option will realise achievable financial savings, satisfies the obligations to the Heritage Lottery Fund, maintains the integrity of the Herefordshire collection and provides the platform for a sustainable future for the service within a model which is delivered by preferred external partner to the council.

The recommendations are seeking approval for preliminary service changes.  Further changes to the services will need to be considered in the context of future financial pressures across the local authority, and having due regard to the impact on service users and local people.  Therefore whilst the recommended options are immediately instigated, the future level of the services will be evaluated next to wider impacts for residents when setting the budget for the whole authority.