Issue - meetings
Revised approach to Ideas Stores Service
Meeting: 28/10/2020 - Cabinet (Item 6)
6 Revised approach to Ideas Stores & Library Service 
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Additional documents:
- 6.2a Appendix. 1 for Revised approach to Ideas Stores Service, item 6
PDF 6 MB
- Webcast for Revised approach to Ideas Stores & Library Service
Decision:
Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.
The recommendations were amended and then approved.
DECISION
1. To note the proposed programme of consultation and engagement on the Idea Store service, to commence in late November 2020,
2. To note the proposed future model for the Idea Store service, subject to refinement pending the outcome of the consultation. A future key decision on this issue will be returned to Cabinet in early 2021.
Action by:
CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON)
(Interim Divisional Director Customer Programme (T. Heaney)
Minutes:
Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts and Brexit, introduced the report proposing a consultation on potential changes to the Idea Store and Library services.
She noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in significant changes to how these services were being provided and given the Council’s budget challenges and the changes in the way residents were accessing services, it was important to review the best way to deliver these services in the future.
It may be that online services were now preferred for many residents, but it was acknowledged that face-to-face methods were also desired by some people. The report set out a number of options for consultation. These could include reduced opening hours, closing some sites and/or reusing locations for other community uses. Staffing levels may also be reduced.
During discussion particular concerns were expressed around the impact on Watney Market and Cubitt Town sites.
The Mayor highlighted the various models that could be considered and encouraged everyone to participate in the consultation. The pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were also noted. Finally, he proposed a slight amendment to the recommendations as Recommendation 2 was supposed to read ‘To note…’.
The Mayor then proposed the amended recommendations to Cabinet. They were agreed without dissent and it was:
RESOLVED
1. To note the proposed programme of consultation and engagement on the Idea Store service, to commence in late November 2020,
2. To note the proposed future model for the Idea Store service, subject to refinement pending the outcome of the consultation. A future key decision on this issue will be returned to Cabinet in early 2021.