Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.

The Group Manager of Democratic Services reminded the Select Committee on what constitutes a personal and a prejudicial interest.

Councillor Perry declared a personal and a prejudicial interest in regards to the item relating to Community Grants.

To confirm as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2010.

Agreed

Review proposals for budget savings for 2011/12 within the remit of the Committee.

Members received a report outlining the savings proposals for 2011/12 in service areas falling under the Select Committee’s remit, the details of which were introduced, as appropriate, by the Cabinet Members for Crime Justice and Communities and for Culture and Sport.

ACS/SAV/10: Libraries Service Review

A saving of £1m is proposed to be achieved through the closure of 5 libraries; Markyate, Robert Jeyes, Rush Green, Wantz, and one other library. 

Members raised concerns regarding the way the cuts for library services were presented to the Committee without detailed statistics or reasoning. Members felt that further details around current library usage were needed before making any informed decisions. It was suggested that consideration be given to more shared uses of library buildings to make them more cost effective. 

The Head of Community Cohesion and Equalities stated that Barking and Dagenham has a very strong record of joint work with other services such as the provision of a One Stop Shop at both Barking and Dagenham, and a gallery and learning facilities in Barking.

Members expressed concerns regarding the closure of branch libraries as they are a social hub for the local community including the young and the old and therefore closing branch libraries will have a significant impact on the local communities.  Furthermore, closure of libraries would be a closure of  front line services.

Members of the public at the meeting who were opposed to the proposed closure of libraries stated that the Council should consult with residents and seek their views and support in identifying areas more appropriate to be cut other than libraries. It was also stated that libraries such as Robert Jeyes, which has schools in the close vicinity, is currently accessible to approximately 3,400 school children, many of whom use a range of services at the library.

Members of the public also questioned whether the reason for the closure of Robert Jeyes library was to sell the land. The Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenue and Benefits assured the public that currently there are no plans to sell any library sites. The decision has rather been taken to make savings on the running costs of the libraries.

Following discussions and debate the Select Committee agreed not to support the proposed savings to Library services and referred the proposal back to Cabinet for further consideration.

ACS/SAV/25 – Community Halls

The Council had invited Community Associations to take on Community Centres on long leases in line with existing Council policy.  Associations will be able to raise funds using the halls as security and will be able to make improvements and develop sites in a way the Council cannot.  If, however they are not willing to take on the Centres the Council will not be able to continue to run the facilities in the future.  Associations were invited to let the Council know by 25 November 2010, as to whether they were willing in principle to take on responsibility, and as a result, seven out of eight  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

To be agreed.

The Chair asked the Select Committee Members to forward their comments to the Senior Scrutiny Officer.

To receive any Call-In items for discussion on decisions of the Cabinet or Community Housing Partnerships in accordance with Part B, Article 5A of the Council’s Constitution.

None received

To receive any Councillor Call for Action items for discussion in accordance with Part B, Article 5B of the Council’s Constitution.

None received

To receive any appeals against the Council’s response to a Petition, and Petitions requisitioning a Senior Officer to provide evidence in respect of those services, in accordance with Part B, Article 5C of the Council’s Constitution.

None received

19 January 2011

19 January 2011