Agenda item

To consider the outcome of the review of the decision taken by Cabinet on 19 December 2023 relating to the Library/One Stop Shop Savings Proposal which had been subject of a call-in and considered by Communities Scrutiny Committee on 11 January 2024.

RESOLVED that –

(a)      Cabinet acknowledges Communities Scrutiny Committee’s observations, conclusions and recommendations following its review of the Cabinet decision relating to the ‘Library/One Stop Shop Savings Proposal’, and

(b)      Cabinet does not accept the Scrutiny Committee’s report recommendation 3.2, confirms its original decision made on 19 December 2023, and undertakes to do further work to identify alternative sources of funding.

Councillor Huw Williams, Chair of Communities Scrutiny Committee presented the report on the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee held on 11 January 2024 following consideration of the call-in of the Cabinet decision taken on 19 December 2023 relating to the Library/One Stop Shop Savings Proposal.

The report referenced the lengthy debate at the Scrutiny Committee meeting based on the grounds of the call-in, and highlighted the Committee’s particular concerns over the reduction in opening hours and the impact that would have on the –

·       availability and accessibility of library and one stop shop services to residents, especially the most vulnerable and digitally excluded

·       availability of ‘warm spaces’ for those worse hit by the cost-of-living crisis, people who were lonely, and those living with health issues and their carers

·       availability of facilities for children and young people to use for study or research work, or as safe havens away from chaotic personal or family situations

·       availability of libraries for use by community groups and voluntary organisations for them to deliver much needed support and advice services to residents.

The Committee was also concerned about potential unintended negative effects on other already stretched council services, the adverse effect on staff morale and impact the potential loss of experienced staff would have on the service’s future capacity to deliver quality services.  Members felt not enough investigations had been made with outside bodies or external organisations to secure other funding or resources to help maintain current service levels prior to a decision being made.  Consequently, Cabinet was asked to reconsider its original decision taking into account the Scrutiny Committee’s conclusions and recommendations that Cabinet –

       (i)       acknowledges Communities Scrutiny Committee’s observations, conclusions and recommendations following its review of the Cabinet decision relating to the ‘Library/One Stop Shop Savings Proposal’, and

      (ii)      agrees to the Committee’s recommendation to postpone the implementation of the decision until further exploratory work is done to identify alternative funding sources available to the Council or other partner bodies whether in the private or public sector.

The Leader thanked Councillor Williams for reporting on the scrutiny debate and recommendations.  Cabinet also thanked the Scrutiny Committee for their work.

Councillor Emrys Wynne sympathised with the concerns raised regarding the potential impact a reduction in hours would have as set out in the report.  However, his view remained that the reasons for the call-in, and those concerns, had been thoroughly debated by Cabinet on 19 December and Cabinet had been fully aware of all those issues and risks when the decision was made.  The decision was necessary to respond to the severe financial challenge and set a balanced budget.  Cabinet had listened and responded to public consultation feedback with changes resulting in circa 30 additional opening hours compared to the original proposal and opening on specific days. He did not support the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation to postpone implementation of the decision until further work was done to identify alternative funding sources.  He had already committed to working with members, officers, and City/Town/Community Councils to consider alternative models of delivering library services with a view to future proofing and growing that provision, mitigating the cuts, and seeking other sources of income, and there was an immediate need to set a balanced budget for the next financial year.  No one wanted to cut library services, but the decision represented the best possible outcome for libraries given the current financial position and meant no library would have to close and all current services would continue, albeit on reduced hours.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis also recognised the thorough scrutiny and was pleased that the recommendation had not been to reverse the decision but to postpone it pending further research into alternative funding sources.  Unfortunately, the recommendation was too open-ended, and a commitment had already been made to look into alternative methods of funding and delivering the library service.  Given the timescale for budget cuts/savings to be made it was vital that Cabinet confirmed its decision in order to set a balanced budget.  The Head of Finance also set out the risks associated with delaying the decision and delivering a balanced budget.  Councillor Barry Mellor referred to local authorities in England who had effectively declared themselves bankrupt with many Welsh local authorities close to that position and difficult decisions needed to be made to avoid that outcome.

Councillor Huw Williams thanked Cabinet for the responses.  He highlighted the unprecedented response to the consultation and strength of feeling and passionate speakers during the scrutiny debate and Cabinet.  The Committee’s view had been that more should have been done before the decision was taken on investigating other potential funding streams.  However, he did not want to reopen the debate.

Having considered the report and recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet noted that all the issues raised had been taken into account when making the decision at their meeting on 19 December, and commitments had been made to work with stakeholders and external organisations on alternative models of delivering library services and seeking other sources of income.  Cabinet sought assurances that work would be undertaken as a matter of urgency.  The Chief Executive gave a commitment to work with partners and other organisations with a view to finding alternative ways of supporting libraries and explained that confirming the decision in terms of the budget would allow for clarity and certainty around those discussions.  Cabinet re-emphasised the dire financial situation for local government finances and given the scale of budget savings Denbighshire required for next financial year and future years all council services would be facing cuts and a decision on the library savings was being made in that context.  The library/one stop shop savings had been debated at length and the decision had been made with a view to safeguarding all libraries in the county so none would have to close. 

The Corporate Director: Governance and Business/Monitoring Officer set out the process of the call-in, parameters of the Cabinet debate, and options available to Cabinet in terms of decision making.  Councillor Gwyneth Ellis proposed, seconded by Councillor Elen Heaton, that Cabinet agree report recommendation 3.1, and disagree with report recommendation 3.2 and confirm its original decision, but undertake to do exploratory work to find alternative sources of funding.

Councillor Hugh Irving (signatory to the call-in request) sought to address the Cabinet on the reasoning behind the call-in and challenge of the decision.  The Leader confirmed Cabinet was fully aware of the reasons and challenge which had been clearly set out in the report and Cabinet had responded to the issues raised.  The matter had been through the proper democratic processes, and given the parameters of the Cabinet debate, it would not be appropriate to re-run or re-open the scrutiny debate.  The Monitoring Officer referred to the constitution and confirmed that this was correct.  Consequently, the Leader looked to the proposition by Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, seconded by Councillor Elen Heaton, which was restated for clarity.  Upon being put to the vote it was –

RESOLVED that –

(a)      Cabinet acknowledges Communities Scrutiny Committee’s observations, conclusions and recommendations following its review of the Cabinet decision relating to the ‘Library/One Stop Shop Savings Proposal’, and

(b)      Cabinet does not accept the Scrutiny Committee’s report recommendation 3.2, confirms its original decision made on 19 December 2023, and undertakes to do further work to identify alternative sources of funding.