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For: (x) Agenda Item Number: 15

Executive X

CLMT

Meeting Date: 3rd December 2012

Report of: Head of Community Living

Report author: Michael McMahon

Subject: Review of services delivered by Luton Cultural Services Trust

Consultations: (x)

Councillors X (For Executive Only) Scrutiny Lead Executive Member(s): Cllr Ashraf Stakeholders Wards Affected: All Others

Recommendations

1. That Executive approves the commencement of public, stakeholder and staff consultation on the options for delivery of the library service contained in this report. (Please note that this is a request to consult only, not a request to implement any changes).

2. That the Executive request officers report back in May 2013 with the outcome of the libraries consultation.

3. That the Executive notes and endorses the direction of travel proposed in relation to

proposed revisions to the museum and arts services, and instruct officers to report back to a future meeting(s) of the Executive on the details of the changes being proposed.

Background

4. In total Luton Cultural Services Trust (LCST) currently receives £5.3m to provide a range of library and cultural services from London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL).

5. The most significant individual LCST service cost is the provision of the library service. The

current library service cost £2.8m per annum to run, which represents over half of the amount that LCST receive via gift aid from LLAL. The library service has a statutory status, whereby the Council have to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service under the Public Libraries Act. The legislation is not prescriptive about the scale or nature of the service required to meet this statutory requirement, although the Minister responsible for libraries has made it clear what he expects an Authority to do in preparation for any major changes or reductions.

6. In addition LCST also provides a museums service for £1.05m and an arts service for £0.95m.

The balance of the costs of the service are in respect of overhead. 7. As part of the Budget Prioritisation exercise Councillors have expressed their willingness to

consider alternatives to the existing levels of the library service, which continues to meet the statutory requirements and also to consider a reduced arts and cultural offer provided by LCST which achieves a reduced direct cost to the Council.

The current position

Libraries 8. The current library service consists of the Central Library, three strategic libraries, which are

Leagrave, Marsh Farm and Wigmore, and four community libraries (two of these within

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community centres at Bury Park and Lewsey), Stopsley and Sundon Park, the mobile library service and the home library service. The service welcomes just under a 1m visitors a year, is used by 49% of the population in Luton and has 40,000 active borrowers/users of IT.

9. Library service current definitions:

The Central Library provides a full range of lending and information services with a wide range of stock up to and including undergraduate level. It is open 59.5 hours a week and provides an in depth information service, both paper and electronic, significant study space and houses 66 public PCs. It provides a full range of activities and events. A strategic library is a full-time library with a wide range of services and stock up to and including NVQ/A-level or equivalent standard. It has small collections of large print and audio books, CDs and DVDs, language courses and a range of newspapers and magazines. It has a minimum of 10 public PCs, study space, Health Information Points and a dedicated children’s library. Activities include homework clubs, class visits, regular baby rhyme times and children’s activities, with a Children’s Librarian based in each one. A community library is a part-time library, with a small range of services and stock up to and including GCSE or equivalent standard aimed at meeting the recreational needs of the community. It is a first stop resource for basic enquiries and school project work. It has small collections of large print and audio books, taster collections of CDs and DVDs and a small range of newspapers and magazines. It has a minimum of four PCs and limited study space. Activities include homework clubs, baby rhyme time, children’s activities and class visits. The mobile library visits 15 sites in Luton filling in the gaps between static library provision. The Home Library Service offers a service to around 350-400 customers a year who are unable to visit a library because they are disabled or frail.

Museums 10. Luton Culture welcomes around 290,000 visitors per annum to Stockwood Discovery Centre and

Wardown Park Museum. The museums service also currently comprises a schools service (around 15,000 children per annum visit in organised school groups), an outreach programme exploring the collections and Luton’s identity with a broad range of groups and a vibrant exhibitions and events programme. It has been a lead partner on a range of national and international partnership initiatives and programmes such as the Cultural Olympiad and the BBC and British Museums, History of the World in 100 objects.

Arts 11. LCST offers a varied programme of performance and music through the Hat Factory and Library

Theatre and achieves attendances totalling around 65,000 per annum. It also leads arts development and engagement work within the community and its events team delivers major events on behalf of LBC including Carnival event production, Fireworks, St George’s Day and Lighting Up Luton as well as assisting community led festivals such as St Patrick’s Day, Luton Mela and the Lewsey Festival amongst others.

Goals and Objectives

12. Through a co-production approach with LCST, the Council has developed revisions to the library and cultural offer which achieves a £1.8m budget reduction of the total cost of the service by 2015/16. This will mean that, from 2015-16

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The Council grant to LCST supports key core services and their direct overheads only Other important work will be run on a break even budget model All commercial work (or work that potentially could have commercial benefit by 2015-16) is

totally separated from the Trust budget and developed by the Trading Company with 100% of any profits fed back into the charity to support its work further. This mainly includes the cafes, retail ad venues hire functions.

Libraries 13. In relation to the library service, for the Council to consult on options for the provision of a library service that continues to meet both the spirit and the letter of the 1964 Public Libraries Act to provide a comprehensive and efficient service across the Town but with a reduced level of funding. 14. To report back to Executive in May on the outcome of this consultation. Museums 15. In respect of the museum service for LCST to develop options whereby Stockwood Discovery

Centre and the Wardown Park Museum continue to open but at a reduced cost, by developing its secondary spend model including donations, the café and charged-for temporary exhibitions and events. Specifically in relation to Wardown Park Museum the aim is to operate at a self sustaining budget level from 2015-16.

Arts 16. By 2015-16, LCST would operate a significantly reduced arts programme with no LBC-

subsidised activity. It would provide core arts development and engagement support and artistic work as well as enabling the LCST to compete to bring in significant external funding to the Town for potential arts projects Both the Hat Factory and the Library Theatre will operate on a break even budget by 2015-16 with a mixed programme of some cultural activity, commercial hires and with the development of the creative industries hub at the Hat Factory which currently comprises 14 creative businesses, social enterprises and charities.

Proposal (for consultation)

Libraries 17. To consult on a series of service delivery options including a redefinition of the different levels of

library service as described in 9 above, involving a combination of possible closures, reduced hours of opening and relocation to new venues.

18. The revised community library is as per 9 above but within the revised library offer, transforms

the way community libraries will be run, with the library open whenever the community centre is open, serviced by a joint reception desk at off-peak times when the library assistant is not there, but includes self service whenever the community centre is open. This will require a capital contribution to generate a joint desk.

19. There is a potential to include new library information points within community centres in areas

with a reduced provision where people could order books, pick them up and drop them off. It would comprise a PC, where a customer can search and order from the entire library catalogue, and be overseen by the community centre staff.

20. There are 2 proposed options regarding the level of library service that are affordable and

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considered to meet the statutory minimum requirement to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient service’.

Option 1 The proposed service would consist of the following Central Library 1 Strategic Library Home Library Service 4 Community Libraries Option 2 The proposed service would consist of the following Central Library – with a closure of 1 day a week 1 Strategic Library – with a additional closure of 1 day a week Home Library Service Mobile Library Service 3 - 4 Community Libraries

21. Both options could also include library information points should the Council wish to do so at an additional annual running cost of £4k each plus some initial capital investment. Museums and Arts 22. As officers and LCST develop more detail proposals for revisions to these services, specific consultation plans will be developed and reported.

Key Risks

Libraries 23. Unless the consultation is transparent, comprehensive and inclusive, the process could be open

to legal challenge, which could either de-rail and / or delay any subsequent plans that emerge, to change the existing level of provision. This would also delay the planned savings by LCST. There is a clear plan in place for consultation and it is attached to this report.

24. There will be a negative public reaction to any service reduction plans through the consultation.

However, the emphasis of this review is about re-provision of service which will provide some mitigation for this.

25. There is evidence that a reduced library service does have a negative impact on educational

attainment, and it particularly adversely affects children, the elderly and the disadvantaged. Data supplied to a recent Parliamentary enquiry on libraries showed that 44% of children stopped using the library service when their local library closed. There is the potential to use the mobile library in areas where the library provision has been removed so that children still have access to a library service and the Home Library Service will remain for the elderly and vulnerable. Many of the on-line resources that are currently available will remain for people who have access to the internet and with the potential for library information points at some community centres this will increase access to areas that currently do not have a local library provision.

26. The library service is the single biggest operational element of services offered by LCST, if any

proposals ultimately developed resulted in significant service reductions, there could be risks to the operational viability of the Trust to continue to function. This will be reviewed quarterly as per the current strategic partnership arrangement.

Museums and Arts

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27. Achieving a self sustaining budget over the next three years for Wardown Park Museum, the Hat

Factory and the Library Theatre poses some risk for the Trust that would put in jeopardy their (and therefore Luton’s) access to external funding from partners such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.

LCST 28. There will be a real impact on community life caused by such a significant reduction to the

cultural offer. Clearly this will be picked up in the EIA. 29. To achieve the scale of budget reduction aimed for LCST will need to restructure its whole

organisation and any redundancy / pension costs will be the responsibility of LBC as per its Funding and Management Agreement with the Trust.

30. Achieving the reductions outlines in this report will require the Council to consider granting LCST

some freedoms to raise additional income. Any proposals around increased freedoms will be subject to further reports.

Capital cost 31. A small capital investment may be required to enable revenue savings in some of the libraries

options. These will be worked up carefully and at a minimum level as the consultation progresses.

Consultations

32. In relation to the Library Service, a detailed consultation plan has been developed to engage with stakeholders and the public. This consultation exercise will be led by the Council.

33. Under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011, voluntary, local community groups and

organisations and / or members of local authority staff can put forward an expression of interest to run local services. In the event of such an expression being made, the Council will need to consider any proposal under the terms of the legislation.

34. Trustees of LCST have already been made aware of the proposal to consult on an informal basis

and are clearly key stakeholders in the consultation process and the development of any revisions to the existing service.

35. Staff of LCST have already been made aware of the proposal to consult on an informal basis

and would be included in the stakeholder consultation. If following consultation a decision is made to make any closures or reductions in library services, library staff would be subject to a further period of formal consultation.

Appendices attached:

1. Draft IIA 2. Draft Consultation Plan

Background Papers:

None

IMPLICATIONS For Executive reports For CLMT Reports

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grey boxes must be completed Clearance is not

all statements must be cleared by an appropriate officer required

Clearance – agreed by:

Legal The report identifies the Council’s duty to provide a library service (whether or not involving LCST), and the need for adequate consultation. When any final decision is made members need to be aware that legal challenges, some successful, have been made to proposals to reduce library services by other authorities.

John Secker, Legal Services 16th November 2012

Finance The budget savings potential has been evaluated in the report, reflecting current operating costs

Ceri Davies Interim Finance Manager, Housing & Community Living 19 November 2012

Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) – Key Points

Equalities/ Cohesion/Inclusion (Social Justice)

A full integrated impact assessment will be conducted once the consultation process has ended, however a draft has been completed and is appended to this report.

Agreed Sandra Legate Equality and Diversity Policy Manager 16th November 2012

Environment

There are no material environmental implications. Agreed by Strategy & Sustainability Manager on the 16/11/2012.

Health

There are no health impacts in terms of disease/illness or unintended consequences to health care services

Agreed Chimeme Egbutah Advanced Health Improvement Specialist 15th November 2012

Community Safety

Staffing Clearly the level of funding reduction is likely to mean reduced staffing levels across the Trust and may mean further redundancies at LCST. These would be subject to staff consultation and managed through the Trust’s Organisational Change Policy and within the agreements that were made with the Council as part of the TUPE transfer. As part of the agreement, LBC is responsible for the cost of redundancy payments and pension actuarial strain costs.

Nonie Benson HR Advisor 15.11.12

Other

FOR EXECUTIVE ONLY - Options: 1) Not to proceed with the consultation. 2) To proceed with the consultation subject to certain qualifications or conditions. Do we need to add options here to agree (or not) the general direction of travel and savings level as outlined in the paper?

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[Type text]

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This form replaces the previous Equality Impact Assessment form used by LBC. The key aim of an impact assessment is to ensure that all Council policies, plans and strategies support the corporate mission statement that „The needs of Luton‟s people will be first in everything we do‟. The aim of this impact assessment process is to: • Embed Social Justice principles and practice into the Council‟s decision making process • Ensure adherence to the Equality Act 2010 and associated Public Sector Duty • Minimise duplication of initial impact assessments with regards to Environment and Health • Ensure Officers have access to the necessary specialist support with regards to all of the above The table on the first page of this form will enable you to make early consideration of the potential impacts of your proposal with regards to individuals, areas, cohesion, inclusion, the environment and health. You will need to review the impact table once you have completed your assessment to ensure that all impacts are clearly highlighted in the final document.

Once you have completed the table the form will guide you to explain your judgements and then, as appropriate, identify in the action plan how you will be able to enhance and maintain any positive, and mitigate any negative, impacts of your proposal in line with the council‟s mission and values.

This form will also help you to identify if you need further specialist advice or whether a more detailed Environmental or Health Impact Assessment may be required.

For your convenience, please see links to key Corporate and Partnership documents that may help you as you complete this IIA.

Corporate Plan http://intranet/SupportServices/Document%20library/Corporate%20plan%2011th%20July%202011.doc

Equality Charter http://intranet/SupportServices/socialjustice/Document%20library/Equality%20charter.pdf

Social Justice Framework http://www.luton.gov.uk/Community_and_living/Lists/LutonDocuments/PDF/Social%20Justice/Social%20Justice%20Framework%202012%20-2026.pdf

Family Poverty Strategy http://www.lutonforum.org/Forum/Documents/Family-Poverty-Strategy-Final-October2011_001.pdf

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) http://www.luton.gov.uk/Council_government_and_democracy/Lists/LutonDocuments/PDF/Consultation/Reports/Final%20JSNA%202011.pdf Community Involvement Strategy http://www.lutonforum.org/Forum/Documents/CISfinaljune2010.pdf

Integrated Impact Assessment Form (IIA)

June 2012

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Proposal Title: Review of the Cultural Service Date of IIA: 24.8.12

Lead Officer Name: Michelle Griffin

Seen By: SJU (Name/Date)

Signed Off By: Bundle Lead/Head of Service (Name/Date

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THIS IS A DRAFT IIA OF A WIDE RANGING PROPOSALS Please provide an outline description of your proposal: This IIA supports reports to Members and citizens on the proposals for new funding and delivery priorities for Luton Cultural Services Trust (LCST) for the period 2013 – 2016. It is proposed to consider reduction in funding to LCST by £1.8M by end of March 2016 and this will result in a full scale strategic review of service provision across the following areas; The Library Service The Museum Service The Arts and Events LCST Senior Management Re-structuring It will also include an external impact analysis undertaken by consultants on the Arts Service and any proposed strategic review of priorities. Library Service; Local Authorities have to provide a `comprehensive and efficient library service according to legal obligations, although current legislation is not prescriptive about how authorities meet this remit.. Luton presently provides 8 static libraries, consisting of of a Central Library, 3 strategic and 4 Community Libraries,, a Mobile Library and a Home Library Service to citizens. The Library service welcomes just under 1m visitors a year, is used by 49% of the population in Luton and has 40,000 active borrowers/users of IT. The Library service provides access to information and learning, ICT, books, newspapers, magazines with staff support and community space which is regarded by local people as safe, neutral and safe.. Below is a table that shows proposed changes and usage at each library;

Existing Service Option 1 Option 2 Potential Services no longer provided

Strategic Libraries: Central Library 1 Strategic Library 4 Community Libraries Home Library Service

Central Library 1 Strategic Library 3-4 Community Libraries Home Library Service Mobile Library Reduce opening hours at Central Library and the Strategic library by one day per week

Option 1; Leagrave Library Marsh Farm Library Wigmore Library Bury Park Library Lewsey Library Stopsley Library Sundon Park Library Mobile Library

Central Library

Leagrave Library

Marsh Farm Library . Joint public/school library in Lea Manor School

Wigmore Library

Community Libraries; Option 2;

Leagrave Library Marsh Farm Library Wigmore Library

Bury Park Library

Lewsey Library

Stopsley Library

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Visits 2011-2012

Visits as a % IT sessions Issues

Luton Central 516,985 53% 151,525 301,430

Leagrave 110,215 11% 24,064 147,360

Lewsey Farm 32,457 3% 8,014 37,123

Marsh Farm. Joint public/school library in Lea Manor School

156,315 (76,000 public visits)

16%, however (7.6% of visits by

public) 20,102 79,100

Sundon Park 32,060 3% 6,461 31,968

Stopsley 36,810 4% 6,382 34,661

Wigmore 72,099 7% 15,055 104,969

Mobile 20,824 2% 0 52,809

Bury Park 13,398 1% 4,596 14,744

Home Library 50,461

Web renewals 0 0 113,056

TOTAL 991,163 236,559 967,681

Museums Service; LCST runs one Museum and a Discovery Centre on behalf of the Town. In the last yearly figures (2011 – 2012) there were 215, 000 visits to Stockwood Discovery Centre and 70,000 to Wardown Museum, both Centres are DDA compliant, and both provide educational support to our local schools and specific activities for older citizens and those attending day centres for example the very successful Memory Box Scheme. Both Services have a strong connection to the history of the diversity of Luton, reflected in its collections of Luton‟s cultural and economic heritage. Arts and Events;

Sundon Park Library Bury Park Library Lewsey Library Stopsley Library Sundon Park Library

Mobile Library Home Service Library (350-400 Customers)

Option 1 and 2 could also include library and information points should LBC wish to do so at an additional cost 4K each.

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These services consist of; The Hat Factory The Library Theatre Arts Development Luton International Carnival Summer Festival Fireworks Support for Community Events i.e. Mela and Community Festivals Therefore Arts and Events cover all aspects of Luton‟s cultural identity, used by citizens of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Each event brings benefits and perspectives to the community in terms of creativity and inspiration, learning and skills development, social capital and economic regeneration. Therefore each will be looked at on its own merit; The Hat Factory; Has a diverse usage, both as a cultural centre and a business hub for small thriving creative businesses, social enterprises and charities in the Town. The team works closely with young people from the Town and has an Urban cultural and business perspective. For example, SNAP, the Social Needs Awareness Project based at the Hat Factory supports work with young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETS) and supports Art awards for the 14 – 25 age range. The Hat Factory currently has 14 business on its premises and provides the following type of arts events; Club nights, Theatre, Cinema; Comedy Nights and Dance. The average footfall at the HF is around 40,000 per year. HAT FACTORY AUDIENCE & USER BREAKDOWN 2011/12 BY AGE (ESTIMATED)

EVENT / ACTIVITY 0-16 16-25, 25-55 55+

TOTAL AUDIENCE

LBC & training & bookings 721 721

Gallery 70 65 14 149

Theatre 377 240 75 692

Upstage 732 20 752

Yoga 40 60 12 112

Capoiera 10 150 62 222

Street Dance 1,700 256 100 2,056

Drumming Circle 5 20 25

Zumba class 5 5

Fitness class 30 9 39

Leviticus 30 18 48

Music Promoters/Events 1,000 7,400 1,408 9,808

Club Nights 767 160 927

Free Your Style 15 53 20 88

Movie Makers 16 150 133 299

Others 3,400 19,300 2,023 24,723

TOTAL 3,457 12,584 22,359 2,266 40,666

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The Library Theatre; The Library Theatre holds a maximum of 238 people and provides a yearly programme of events, culminating in the annual Christmas Show from December to January. It also provides Children‟s Theatre and hosts the Music on Mondays group which hires the facility along other amateur dramatic clubs who put on performances throughout the year. In 2011–2012 around 20,000 people enjoyed the Library Theatre experience. THE LIBRARY THEATRE AUDIENCE & USER BREAKDOWN 2011/12 - BY AGE ( ESTIMATED)

EVENT / ACTIVITY 0-16 16-25, 25-55 55+

TOTAL AUDIENCE

CHILDRENS THEATRE 1,673 100 536 50 2,359

PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

40 70 716 50 876

PANTOMIME 2,300 51 500 150 3,001

AMATEUR THEATRE 50 345 1,099 4,200 5,694

OTHER HIRINGS 900 100 1,000 1,297 3,297

FILM 1,200 - 453 1,000 2,653

MUSIC CLUB (CLASSICAL)

- 10 254 1,562 1,826

TOTAL 6,163 676 4,558 8,309 19,706

Arts Development; Arts Development officers provide this service by working closely with community groups and individuals. This is done through close working relations with local schools and educational bodies, community organisations and social welfare groups from both statutory and voluntary sector providers and also by developing relationships with local businesses, including those based at the Hat Factory. Therefore this is yet another service which used by all citizens of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Luton International Carnival; Luton International Carnival brings together the African Caribbean communities in Luton and also other local communities such as the Irish and the new Polish community. The event is managed by Luton Culture‟s events team and the creative content developed from the National Carnival Arts Centre in Luton bringing to the Event other Carnival groups from across the country. The Carnival is a showpiece for the cohesion and diversity of Luton, bringing together people of the Town and a wider area, reflecting back to the performers the diversity for which Luton is known and proud of. It is thought that over 40,000 people attend the event each year, and this year successfully ran alongside the Love Luton Festival and the local Mela. Summer Festival/ Fireworks/ Support for Community Events i.e. Mela and Community Festivals; These are events that citizens attend every year either at a very local level, eg.Community Festivals

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held in each ward, or at a Town-wide scale such as the Summer Festival and Firework events. All these events are accessible for all ages and abilities, and are enjoyed by over 25,000 people per year. This is a first look at the services and any potential impact of a change in service provision. There would clearly be some impact, however until a comprehensive consultation with users and citizens of proposed changes are analysed it is therefore very difficult at this stage to give any clear direction of outcome.

Please list other contributors and stakeholders involved in the preparing of this assessment:

If there is any potential impact on staffing you must invite trade union involvement in the preparation of this assessment:

Luton Culture

Tenants of Hat Factory – met 14th September2012

UKCCA – to be consulted MELA Group – to be consulted

Users and Promoters – Hat Factory - TBC Users of Library Theatre - TBC

Arts Council Users of Services

Schools Children Centres

Partners Heritage Lottery Fund

Bedford Borough Council

Unison have had an initial briefing/discussion (14/11/12) and this will continue throughout the

consultation process

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IMPACT TABLE The purpose of this table is to consider the potential impact of your proposal against the Equality Act 2010 „protected characteristics‟ and other key priorities of Community Cohesion, Social Inclusion, Health and Environment. We also ask you to consider potential outcomes against the key priorities of our Corporate Plan (see link).

Once you have completed this process you should have a clearer picture of any potential significant impacts*, positive, negative or neutral, on People or Places as a result of your proposal. The rest of the questions on this form will help you clarify impacts and identify an appropriate action plan. (“Significant impact” means that the proposal is likely to have a noticeable effect on specific section(s) of the community greater than on the general community at large). In relation to the protected characteristics below, will the proposal have an impact in relation to the outcomes below?

Please fill out this table as much as you can initially. Once you have completed the rest of the form, come back and complete as appropriate

Impact Identified

Outcomes Having identified the impact will it contribute to any

of the following Council priorities below?

Empower, support & protect the vulnerable (Equality)

Improve life & learning

opportunities for all

(Inclusion)

Improve health & reduce health inequalities

(Health)

PEOPLE delete as applicable from the selection below = Positive = Negative = Neutral

Race

Gender

Disability

Sexual Orientation

Age

Religion/Belief

Gender Reassignment

Pregnancy/Maternity

Marriage/Civil Partnership (HR issues only)

Care Responsibilities1 (HR issues only)

PLACE

Strengthen community cohesion

Tackling poverty/ promoting social inclusion

Area/Wards affected All Wards

ENVIRONMENT

Protect and enhance the

1 This is a Luton specific priority added to the 9 protected characteristics covered under the Equality Act.

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quality of the natural and built environment

HEALTH

Promoting health and wellbeing

Please answer the following questions to help you identify any actions you may need to take with regards to impacts of this proposal

1. Consultation 1.1 Have you made use of existing recent research, evidence and/or consultation to inform your proposal? Please insert links to documents as appropriate. If you would like to know of any potentially relevant research already carried out, please click on the following link below to LBC Consultation Portal For other local statistics and information, click on the following below link for Luton Observatory Guidance Notes: If no use has been made of research, please contact the Consultation and Engagement Team At Communitycon@luton.gov.uk and/or the Research & Intelligence Team at research.intelligence@luton.gov.uk

Click here for LBC Consultation Portal Click here Luton Observatory

Insert any links to reference websites below. One per space only

Insert any relevant files in the spaces below. One per space only

LBC Community Debate The Library of the Future (Lutons response)??

LCST Libraries Adult Customer Survey, Novemebre 2012 -awaiting results

2010 BMG Childrens Survey House of Commons, Culture Media and Sport Commitee – Library Closures Third report of the session 2012-13, October 2012

The Library of the Future – Arts Council Consulation – awaiting results to national survey but local responses available.

A Local Enquiry into the Public Library Service provided by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, September 2009

For advice and support from Consultation Team click here

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1.2 Have you carried out any specific consultation with people likely to be affected by the proposal? (if yes, please insert details, links to documents as appropriate). Guidance Notes: If no, please explain why this has not been done - you may wish to speak to the Consultation Team first as a lack of sufficient consultation could render this IIA invalid and place the Council at risk of Judicial Review.

A full and comprehensive consultation will be undertaken after agreement to consult is agreed by Executive.

For advice & support from the Social Justice Unit click here

2. Impacts on People 2.1 Where you have identified a positive* impact please explain the nature of this impact. Guidance Notes: If you identify positive impacts with regards to one or more groups listed above please outline how these can be enhanced and maintained against each group identified. Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below. *By positive impact we mean, is there likely to be a noticeable improvement experienced by people sharing a characteristic?

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2.2 Where you have identified a negative* impact please explain the nature of this impact. Guidance Notes: Please use this box to explain why you feel the proposal may be negative and outline what the consequences will be against each group identified. You will need to identify whether mitigation is available, what it is and how it could be implemented. Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below. *By negative impact we mean is there likely to be a noticeable detrimental effect on people sharing a characteristic? If you can identify no mitigation with regards to negative impacts on one or more of the protected groups you must contact the Social Justice Unit – Click the email link box above.

2.3 Where you have identified a neutral* impact for any group, please explain why you have made this judgement. Guidance Notes: You need to be confident that you have provided a sufficient explanation to justify this judgement. *By neutral impact we mean that there will be no noticeable impact on people sharing a characteristic

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For advice & support from the Social Justice Unit click here

3. Impacts on Cohesion If you have identified an impact on community cohesion, please describe here what this may be and who or where you believe could be affected. Guidance Notes: By „impact on community cohesion‟ we mean - is the proposal likely to have a noticeable effect on relations within and between specific section(s) of the community, neighbourhoods or areas. You will need to consider here actions to enhance and maintain positive impacts and how to mitigate negative impacts. Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below. If you can identify no mitigation with regards to negative impacts on community cohesion you must contact the Social Justice Unit – Click email link box above

For advice & support from the Social Justice Unit click here

4. Impacts on Poverty & Inclusion If you have identified an impact on tackling poverty/promoting social inclusion, please describe here what you believe this would be and who you believe would be affected. Guidance Notes: By poverty and inclusion we mean - is the proposal likely to have a noticeable effect on households that are vulnerable to exclusion, e.g. due to poverty, low income and/or in areas of high deprivation. You need to consider here actions to enhance and maintain positive impacts or mitigate negative impacts. Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below If you can identify no mitigation to negative impacts on tackling poverty or promoting social inclusion you must contact the Social Justice Unit for advice - Click email link box above

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For advice and support from Public Health click here

5. Health & Wellbeing If you have identified an impact with regards to promoting Health and Wellbeing please consider the questions below in more detail. 5.1 Please describe what this impact is and who may be specifically affected by the proposal. Guidance Notes: By impact on health and wellbeing we mean - is there the potential for a positive or negative impact on the physical, mental or social well-being of an individual / group. You need to consider here actions to enhance and maintain positive impacts or mitigate negative impacts. Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below If you are unable to identify mitigation to questions 5.1 and 5.2 then you must contact the Public Health Team for advice. - Click email link box above

5.2 Will the proposal impact positively or negatively on access to, and /or quality of, health and wellbeing services? Guidance Notes: By Health and Wellbeing services we mean clinical services as well as, for example, health improvement services such as Stop Smoking, weight management, alcohol and drug services, exercise programmes, affordable warmth, falls prevention etc. You need to consider here actions to enhance and maintain positive impacts or mitigate negative impacts Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below. If you are unable to identify mitigation to questions 5.1 and 5.2 then you must contact the Public Health Team for advice. - Click email link box above

no

For advice and support from the Strategy & Sustainability Team click here

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6. Impacts on the natural & built environment If you have identified an impact on the natural and built environment please consider the questions below. Are there aspects of this proposal that may: a) help in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, produced by the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. coal, oil), which is likely to add to the effects of climate change b) have an effect on conservation of energy, water, minerals and materials c) have an impact on the amount of waste that could be generated through the implementation of the proposal d) impact positively or negatively on access to and the quality of the natural environment (eg parks, play areas, green spaces, conservation areas) e) improve people's or infrastructure's resilience towards extreme weather conditions f) affect amount of car journeys to/from a particular site Guidance Notes: If you identify positive impacts with regards to questions please outline how these can be enhanced and maintained. If you identify negative impacts in response to questions then you will need to explain any actions that you intend to take to mitigate these impacts. Specific actions to be detailed in action plan below If you are unable to identify mitigation with regards to questions 6.a-f then you must contact the Strategy and Sustainability Team at myclimate@luton.gov.uk as a more detailed specialist consideration of this proposal will be necessary. Click email link box above

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

15/22

Please detail all actions that will be taken to enhance and maintain positive impacts and to mitigate any negative impacts relating to this proposal in the table below:

Action

Deadline

Responsible

Officer

Intended Outcome

Date Completed/

Ongoing

A review of the action plan will be prompted 6 months after the date of completion of this IIA

Key Contacts:

Summary of Findings and Actions (for publication and to be written by the author)

15/23

Next Steps • All Executive Reports must have an IIA attached (where relevant) • All report authors must complete the IIA section of Executive Reports (equalities,

cohesion, inclusion, health, environment) • All reports are to be forwarded to the Social Justice Unit, Public Health and Strategy &

Sustainability Unit for sign off in time for Executive deadline • Social Justice Unit, Public Health and Strategy & Sustainability Unit to highlight key

points of concern from IIA in their sign off comments • On the rare occasion that the Social Justice Unit are unable to sign off the report, e.g.

recommendations are in breach of legislation, a statement will be submitted by Social Justice Unit Manager or Equality and Diversity Policy Manager

• Completed and signed IIA‟s will be published on the internet once the democratic

process is complete

15/24

LIBRARY CONSULTATION

Draft Outline Proposals Which stakeholders will be consulted?

. . . in relation to consulting on: (give full details on the subject matter)

In general

Users of libraries with a library card

Users of libraries without a library card

Non users of libraries Specific groups – both users/non users

Children (not covered by the community debate)

Families with children

Elderly

Disabled

Unemployed

People from deprived communities

Other stakeholders

Library staff

Partners (for example Mind, SEPT, NHS, Job Centres, CAB)

Board of Trustees

Schools and children centres

Bedford Borough Council

GP’s (books on prescription service)

University

Sixth Form college

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Aim and objectives Key questions

To consult on the shape of a proposed new library offer that continues to meet the spirit of the 1964 Libraries and Museums Act to run a “comprehensive and efficient” service across the town on a much reduced budget

Ensure a transparent consultation process, providing information for people to provide informed feedback and being clear about any areas of uncertainty in the proposals

To ensure people are aware of what this offer comprises of and why

To seek views on the proposals and see if the community can come up with any better options

Current use of library service

Establish the current use of libraries including for example

Users: How frequently do you use the library, which library service do you use and which most often, reasons for using library, if they have a library card, preferred opening times, use of online services outside the library, how they travel to the library, what would you do if your local library closed Non users: reasons why they do not use the library, what they would like to see provided by a library Both: demographics, including employment status, car ownership/public transport, IT access and broadband at home

Future service

Which is your preferred option?

Impacts of the proposals on people

Mitigating actions that could be taken

General comments on the proposals

Would people use community libraries in community centres?

Would they use a Library Information Point?

Consult on the option of reducing hours in the 2 main libraries to retain the mobile library

Which alternative library would they use if their local library was to close?

Ask regarding volunteers who could help extend hours in community libraries

15/26

Consultation methods Timescales Outcomes

Survey design, preparation December 2012 Survey goes live early January 2013 Survey close mid Feb (6 weeks) Data entry of paper surveys, analysis and reporting early March (3 weeks) Exec May 4th

1. Adult users and non-users survey Available online and in paper versions. 2. Children survey Available online and in paper versions. Work with schools to encourage children to complete, and parent mail. 3. Online survey for other stakeholders 4. Roadshows – at Libraries, Mall

5. Possible focus groups

Decision to be taken after initial 3 weeks of the survey period to ascertain whether any groups are underrepresented

6. Cultural Trust Staff surgeries, Union meetings

7. Meetings with community groups (eg Age Concern)

8. Board of Trustee meetings

15/27

Achieve an understanding of what is proposed and why.

Seek any alternative suggestions/ideas as no reduction not an option

Have the best network of libraries across Luton that we can achieve so that a large proportion of the population have access to a local library and or mobile.