THAT:

a)            option three as detailed in the report and appendix 1 be approved providing:

·           retained library service in Hereford city and the five market towns;

·           realign customer services in the five market towns to form a centralised face to face service in Hereford city, supported by improved online access using the ‘Better Off’ service;

·           transfer of delivery of library services at Belmont library to a community group;

·           operational delivery of Bromyard library to be provided by HALO under a service level agreement;

·           subject to council approval of the capital programme, £133,000 investment in equipment and remodelling of existing premises to provide more efficient utilisation of space and increased access to online payment facilities;

·           remodel the operation of the county library service, retaining delivered library and schools library services with a view to achieving more integrated and efficient delivery; and

·           a review of the charging model and income generation potential;

b)            with a view to development of a longer term enhanced service model providing prevention and early help to children, families and vulnerable adults an option appraisal on the potential use of children centre buildings and libraries be undertaken along with the opportunity of creating a network of well-being hubs;

c)            soft market testing of future delivery of the remodelled library service be undertaken during 2017; and

d)            the assistant director communities be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement recommendations a) and b) and c) above within the agreed budget envelope.