Agenda item
Report Called-In - Ideas Stores Strategy
(Time allocated – 30 minutes)
Minutes:
The Chair outlined the call-in procedure to the Committee.
Councillor Tim Archer, for the Call-In Members, outlined the reasons in their requisition. He reiterated Mrs Maggie Phillips’ point on the strength of local feelings for the retention of Cubitt Town Library. The library was well-loved and local residents had expressed great concern over its possible closure. It was also the best performing library in the Borough and had the highest customer satisfaction rating. Retaining the facility would be more cost-effective than a new Idea Store, as a small amount of money could bring the upper floor into use, install a lift and extend the premises to the rear to provide enhanced services.
He felt that the only debate appeared to be whether an Idea Store would be provided at ASDA or Wood Wharf and invited the Lead Member, Culture and Leisure, to visit the building so that he might be apprised as to possible additional uses.
Councillor Archer referred to the proposed alternative course of action in the Call-In and asked that Cabinet should hold off any decision on the matter so that alternatives to closure of the premises could be proposed.
Committee Members then put detailed questions to Councillor Archer, who replied that:
- The section of the Strategy document relating to possible future sites by definition showed that Cubitt Town Library was not included. However, he looked forward to receiving affirmation that it would be retained.
- He agreed that signage to the library could be improved and there was a useful cut from the library site to ASDA which should be made more user friendly.
Councillor Rofique U Ahmed, Lead Member Culture and Leisure stated that his office had invited Councillor Archer for a visit but this had not been taken up and he had visited all libraries in his capacity as Lead Member. He added that, despite Councillor Archer’s interpretation, the Strategy report showed that no libraries were proposed for closure and he encouraged the use of libraries for all appropriate activities.
Mr Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director Communities, Leisure and Culture, referred to the reasons for the Call-In and stated that, rather than making extravagant claims, the Strategy used data on a like for like comparative basis. Only the MLA common definition of a library visit had been used. As report author, he confirmed that the Strategy report did not propose the closure of any libraries and provided a framework for the future.
In response to further questions from Members, Mr Halsey stressed that the Strategy set out a 10-year programme for the service, without making decisions for individual premises. He made the point that the references to possible Crossharbour and Wood Wharf sites arose from the fact that the lease of Idea Store Canary Wharf would terminate in 2019 and any future element of development would have to be the subject of a full report to Members. The report demonstrated how the key characteristics of a future Idea Store service would differ from the original concept but there were no recommendations either for library closures or additional Idea Stores. In particular, there were no proposals for the closure of Cubitt Town Library.
The Cabinet Members then left the room and after a short discussion it was
RESOLVED:
That the alternative course of action proposed in the Call-In be not pursued and the decision of the Cabinet be confirmed.
Supporting documents:
- Call in cover report Ideas Store, item 6.1 PDF 54 KB
- Ideas Store Strategy Final CAB 290709, item 6.1 PDF 113 KB
- IdeaStoreStrategyAppx1CAB290709, item 6.1 PDF 1 MB