Agenda item

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice.  This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

 

The Chairman explained that five Motions on Notice had been received for this meeting.

 

In respect of the first two Motions that had been received, the Chairman provided Council with an update regarding live streaming of Council meetings.

 

It was noted that the subject of live streaming Council meetings using meeting “owls” had recently been discussed by political group leaders.  At this meeting it had been agreed that group leaders would like to start live streaming Council meetings on a regular basis within the following six months.  The specific arrangements for this remained to be discussed further at the following meeting of the Constitution Review Working Group.

 

Given all group leaders were in agreement with this, it was agreed that the first two Motions on the agenda would not be discussed at this meeting.

 

Future of Libraires within the District

 

Council considered the following Motion on Notice that was submitted by Councillor H. Rone-Clarke:

 

"There is a threat to the future of our libraries and the way in which they are to be managed. It is proposed that Bromsgrove, Rubery and Wythall Libraries will be the first in the County to become ‘unmanned.’ There will be serious consequences associated with such changes both for staff and users of this service. Therefore, we call upon the Overview and Scrutiny Board to investigate the consequences of such action."

 

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Rone-Clarke commented that it seemed that there was little consultation with the public in respect of these changes and that the changes were being made as part of the ‘modernisation’ of the libraries.

 

It was stated that libraires were a vital service for residents including the elderly and those with a disability and that it was extremely important to keep libraires and librarians delivering this service.

 

Councillor E. Gray seconded the Motion.

 

The Leader responded to the Motion and in doing so, requested that should the Motion be agreed, Members looked at the Impact of the Review of Libraires Task Group’s report that had been carried out in 2021.

 

Members were informed that Worcestershire County Council (WCC) were looking at rolling out Libraries Unlocked to a number of other libraries, following a successful pilot at Droitwich and Stourport.  This involved introducing new technology which allowed customers with Libraries Unlocked membership to enter the library using their library card outside normal opening hours and to use library services independently when staff were not present.  Customers who upgraded to free Libraries Unlocked membership would be able to access the library from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.

 

Since Libraries Unlocked was launched in Droitwich and Stourport Libraries in June 2022, library opening hours had increased by 85%, providing more flexibility and convenience for customers and community groups.

 

It was reported that the scheduling of libraries for Phase 2 of the implementation prioritised library clusters where Worcestershire County Council owned the freehold of library buildings and progress was not subject to negotiations with landlords or a private finance initiative (PFI) provider. On this basis, two stages of implementation had been identified and Rubery and Bromsgrove libraries were included in Stage 1, with an estimated go-live date of Autumn 2023.

 

Members were informed that pre-implementation work at library sites included IT surveys, building surveys (including asbestos surveys and surveys of building management systems) and identification of optimal locations for CCTV cameras, PA system and entry control panels.

 

Work was also undertaken by local Library Managers, supported by feedback from staff consultation, public consultations and engagement with schools, to identify opening hours timetables and new staff posts and working patterns.

 

A formal public consultation (Library Strategy) on library transformation options, including the option of an Open Library service delivery model, ran from October 2018 to February 2019 and provided customer feedback on respondents’ willingness to use the library when unstaffed; concerns that would stop them from using the library when unstaffed and best times of day for libraries to be unstaffed. A range of measures had been implemented in response to customer feedback.

 

Local library-based customer engagement sessions would be held before go-live to provide information on Libraries Unlocked and an opportunity for customers to ask questions, share ideas and make suggestions. A survey of Libraries Unlocked customers would run for 3-6 months after go-live to identify what was working well and how the service could be improved.

 

A formal consultation for staff affected by stage 1 implementation ran from 7^th June to 8^th July 2023. A similar consultation would be held for Stage 2 once feasibility work had progressed further.

 

Libraries Unlocked engagement sessions were being scheduled for library staff, relief staff and volunteers in July 2023 to share staff experiences and customer feedback to date and to provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, share ideas and make suggestions.

 

A survey of school children aged under 16 was launched on 30^th June 2023 to identify their preferred times for visiting libraries unaccompanied and to ask for their suggestions for new library services. The survey would run to the end of term and survey results would shape final Libraries Unlocked timetables and local service development plans.

 

Following the response from the Leader, it was confirmed that reference to Wythall Library within the Motion should be replaced by Hagley Library as Wythall would not be part of the scheme as it was connected to the local school.

 

Members raised concerns about the plans, in particular the potential for the replacement of staff who provided a vital service with technology. The potential issue of an increase in Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and the safeguarding of children in unmanned libraries was also raised as a serious concern that could potentially result in compensation payments having to be made if ASB was experienced. It was with this in mind that Members sought further information on the type of security systems that would be implemented in any unmanned library.

 

There were further concerns identified which included the use of IT equipment for residents who did not have access within their homes and the quality of the service if the libraires were unmanned. It was noted that these measures could not be assessed accurately as they were not logged but would certainly impact on residents if they were to be removed.

 

Some Members expressed the view that this was not a step back and could potentially enhance the library services within the District. It would allow more residents to access services after normal working hours if they signed up to a Libraires Unlocked membership. It was also raised that, although savings could be made, the residents would experience more efficiency within the service as the libraries would be opened for longer hours. The potential for using volunteers was also raised as a possibility. Furthermore, it was commented that the current staff working within the libraries could potentially be satisfied with the proposed changes to their contracted working hours.

 

In summing up, Councillor Rone-Clarke explained that although the point had been raised by Members, if Worcestershire County Council were ensuring cost effectiveness rather than cost savings this would have been promoted as part of the implementation.

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was carried.?

 

RESOLVED that

 

There is a threat to the future of our libraries and the way in which they are to be managed. It is proposed that Bromsgrove, Rubery and Hagley Libraries will be the first in the County to become ‘unmanned.’ There will be serious consequences associated with such changes both for staff and users of this service. Therefore, we call upon the Overview and Scrutiny Board to investigate the consequences of such action.

 

Recreation Grounds within the District

 

Council considered the following Notice of Motion that was submitted by Councillor E Gray:

 

“Unfortunately, at the moment the Council does not have the staff to put bids in for funding from the Lottery and other organisations.  At a time when our recreation grounds are crying out for investment it needs this capacity. I therefore call on the Cabinet to review the structural vacancy list as a matter of urgency to explore the reason why these posts remain unfilled.”

 

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Gray explained that the Motion was particularly important in light of the improvements needed within local parks and recreation grounds and the number of vacant posts within the Council that resulted in Council operations not being able to be carried out in a timely manner. Furthermore, due to the lack of staff in this area, she suggested that Officers were unable to take the time to apply for funding that could provide additional financial support in the upkeep of the parks and recreation grounds within the District.

 

Councillor McDonald seconded the Motion, and in doing so commented that some recreation grounds had not been upgraded since their installation fifteen years previously. There was specific reference made to the agreement by Council in June 2018 that water fountains be installed in all recreational areas within the District and Councillor McDonald suggested that this had not been implemented.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Enabling provided a response to the Motion and in doing so explained that he too remembered the agreement of water fountains being installed within the parks and he commented that he would investigate what the current situation was in this area.

 

It was further stated that on 21^st June 2023, Cabinet had agreed that there would be two posts established to work within a new Programme Office that would operate across Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Councils. This would provide an opportunity for the Council to access more funding sources, as part of the programme management of individual projects, such as the upgrades to parks and recreation grounds. It was noted that the introduction of a Programme Office had been a recommendation from the Audit Task Group agreed earlier in the year.

 

Funding that had already been secured by Council Officers included a Salix Grant of £600k for improvements to The Artrix, £1.1m for the clearing of Brownfield Sites, £2.8m of UKSPF and £14.5m in Levelling Up funding. This equalled approximately £19m in funding secured by Officers in recent times. However, it was noted that if more funding was available then Officers should be further identifying and applying for this funding.

 

Some Members raised concerns that the issue of improvements within local recreation grounds including ‘pocket parks’ had been an ongoing discussion point for Members and that a meeting had been arranged to discuss this further. Officers were asked to seek some clarity on what the plans were in terms of long term upgrades to the parks.

 

There was a robust discussion in respect of community members applying for funding to help improvements within their local communities.  Members were advised that large amounts had been raised in various areas across the District,which had enabled residents to feel they had ownership of their local parks.

 

On summing up, Councillor Gray stated that it should not be the responsibility of residents to give up their resources and time to apply for such funding. In response, other Members commented that this was not what had been implied and that there was room for both the Council to apply for funding as well as residents should they wish to.

 

On being put to the vote this Motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED that

 

Unfortunately, at the moment the Council does not have the staff to put bids in for funding from the Lottery and other organisations.  At a time when our recreation grounds are crying out for investment it needs this capacity. Council therefore call on the Cabinet to review the structural vacancy list as a matter of urgency to explore the reason why these posts remain unfilled.

 

Closure of Railway Ticket Offices

 

Council considered the following Notice of Motion that had been submitted by Councillor J. Robinson:

 

“This Council opposes the closure of ticket offices at local railway stations including Bromsgrove, Hagley and Wythall and calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Rail Delivery Group and Secretary of State setting out our opposition to the plans. Council also calls for its media platforms to be used to raise awareness of the consultation and encourage residents to give their views.”

 

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Robinson expressed his disappointment and shock at the potential number of railway ticket office closures contained within the proposals. It was explained that any such changes would severely impact residents within the District, particularly the elderly and those with a disability.

 

In terms of the data that had been provided as part of the consultation in respect of the percentage of tickets purchased from the ticket office, Councillor Robinson explained that although it was noted as only 12% of tickets being purchased this way, it still equated to 180 million train journeys per annum.

 

Reference was made to the cost savings that had been identified as part of these proposals. However, it was questioned whether these would be achieved, in light of the fact that the proposals included still maintaining staff within the stations but in a more ‘roaming’ role. This, it seemed, would not only limit any savings made but would make it more difficult for rail users to identify where station staff would be at any one time.

 

Councillor S. Evans seconded the Motion.

 

Members expressed the view that the proposals had been widely condemned by the public. This was evident in the number of protests that had been carried out across the Country.

 

There was support for the Motion and Members stated that not only did the Council consider train travel as a sustainable mode of transport that should be as easy as possible for all residents, businesses, employees, and visitors within the District to access, railway stations provided a reassuring presence within the community for all residents including the District’s most vulnerable.

 

The deadline for the consultation was 26^th July 2023. In light of this it was requested that letters be sent to the Rail Delivery Group and the Secretary of State for Transport as a matter of urgency to express the concerns raised by the Council.

 

On being put to the vote this Motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED that

 

“This Council opposes the closure of ticket offices at local railway stations including Bromsgrove and calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Rail Delivery Group and Secretary of State setting out our opposition to the plans. Council also calls for its media platforms to be used to raise awareness of the consultation and encourage residents to give their views.”

 

 

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