Petition - Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts
North Ayrshire Council · 18 February 2025
Back to Cabinet — 18 February 2025 and its agenda
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ropo NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 18 February 2025 Cabinet Title: Petition: “Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts” Purpose: To advise Cabinet of the outcome of consideration by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee of a petition in relation to Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries. Recommendation: Cabinet is recommended to refer the petition to a meeting of Council for consideration as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 At a meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 23 January 2025, Members considered a report by the Head of Service (Democratic) on the terms of a petition received in relation to “saving Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts”. 1.2 The petitioners and Executive Director (Communities and Housing) were heard at the Committee and it was agreed that the terms of the petition be accepted and a recommendation made to Cabinet that the petition be considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. 2. Background 2.1 The report presented to Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 23 January, setting out the terms of the petition, is attached as Appendix 1 and is also outlined below:- “Our libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are vital community hubs where learning and imagination flourish. For our children, they serve as safe havens to explore their curiosity, develop their literacy skills and grow their confidence. The amazing staff at Ardrossan and Saltcoats libraries—Anne, Jean, Richard, and Yvette—provide invaluable support and resources to everyone in the community. With the proposed cuts opening hours will now be cut by 50% and the staffing will be dropped from 4 amazing people to 2 who will be spread across both libraries. The libraries offer a multitude of classes/groups including but not limited to Bookbug, Football memories, Crafting Group, Book group, ESOL group, hearing aid clinic, school visits and many more. As well as organised groups the library is also a community safe space where you can visit with no obligation to spend a penny. It is a place to meet, chat, explore and learn. Reducing hours and making cuts would be a devastating blow to these essential services and result in 2 dedicated staff members losing their jobs.
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Let's ensure that our libraries remain open and fully operational for future generations. Sign this petition to protect our community's lifeline!” 2.2 The principal spokespersons outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • The library facilities were a valuable and vital community resource and, in particular, allowed parents, and others, to meet up and form friendships (while promoting wellbeing and a sense of community) and also participate in programmes and activities which were considered essential particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. The proposed closure of Saltcoats Library and the reduction of hours in Ardrossan Library would adversely impact on this; • Combatting adult loneliness and isolation through the promotion of positive mental health, achievement and sense of community; • The central location of Saltcoats Library, allowing ease of access to the local community and the possible reduction in footfall for local traders if any closure went ahead; • The benefits of encouraging digital and computer use, in the local community and promoting equality of access; and • The vitality of the libraries, in positively stimulating the minds of service users, and their significant contribution and great use by the local community, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if these proposals were to go ahead. 2.3 Having heard from the petitioners, the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) was heard in answer to Members’ questions and in clarification of certain matters raised in the petition correspondence, particularly in relation to the point that no decisions had been made in relation to these budget consultation proposals. In this respect, a briefing note by the Head of Service (Connected Communities) was appended to the original report to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee (attached as Appendix 1 hereto). 2.4 The Audit and Scrutiny Committee agreed to accept the petition and recommended to Cabinet that the petition is considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. 3. Proposals 3.1 That Cabinet considers the recommendation of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee for the petition to be considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None arising from this report. Human Resources 4.2 None arising from this report. Legal 4.3 None arising from this report.
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Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None arising from this report. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None arising from this report. Key Priorities 4.6 None arising from this report. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None arising from this report. 5. Consultation 5.1 This report follows as a result of the budget engagement process with communities. Aileen Craig Head of Service (Democratic) For further information please contact Craig Stewart, Committee Services Officer, on 01294 324130 or by email, craigstewart@north-ayrshire.gov.uk Background Papers Audit and Scrutiny Committee Minute – 23 January 2025
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 23 January 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Committee Title: Petition: “Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts” Purpose: To advise the Committee of the terms of a petition regarding “saving Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts”. Recommendation: That the Committee considers the terms of the petition and agrees, or otherwise, to make a recommendation to Cabinet. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 In terms of the Scheme of Administration, the Audit and Scrutiny Committee has a remit: “To receive all petitions and deputations submitted to the Council except those relating to the Council’s planning functions, which shall be considered by the Planning Committee. The arrangements for receiving petitions are as set out in Appendix B to the Standing Orders relating to Meetings and Proceedings of the Council and Committees”. 1.2 This report sets out the background to the receipt by the Council of 1,285 signatories on an online petition, together with a paper copy containing some 65 signatories, addressed to the Chief Executive concerning “saving Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts” which was acknowledged as a valid petition in terms of the Council’s Deputations and Petitions Procedure on 4 December 2024. 2. Background 2.1 The wording of the petition is detailed below: “Our libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are vital community hubs where learning and imagination flourish. For our children, they serve as safe havens to explore their curiosity, develop their literacy skills and grow their confidence. The amazing staff at Ardrossan and Saltcoats libraries—Anne, Jean, Richard, and Yvette—provide invaluable support and resources to everyone in the community. With the proposed cuts opening hours will now be cut by 50% and the staffing will be dropped from 4 amazing people to 2 who will be spread across both libraries. The libraries offer a multitude of classes/groups including but not limited to Bookbug, Football memories, Crafting Group, Book group, ESOL group, hearing aid clinic, school visits and many more. As well as organised groups the library is also a community safe space where you can visit with no obligation to spend a penny. It is a place to meet, chat, explore and learn. Reducing hours and making cuts would be a devastating blow to these essential services and result in 2 dedicated staff members Appendix 1
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losing their jobs. Let's ensure that our libraries remain open and fully operational for future generations. Sign this petition to protect our community's lifeline!” 2.2 There is provision in Standing Orders for accepting petitions relating to decisions that the Council is about to take. 2.3 The Head of Service (Connected Communities) has provided a briefing note on the background to this matter, which is detailed at Appendix 1 to the report (copy of briefing note to follow). 2.4 In terms of the procedure for petitions and deputations set out in Standing Orders, representatives of the petitioners have been invited to attend the meeting to address the Committee. Spokespersons should be restricted to addressing the specific points raised in their petition. 2.5 The spokespersons have, collectively, 10 minutes to address the Committee. This may be extended at the discretion of the Chair. 2.6 Once the Committee has heard from the spokespersons for the petitioners, the Chair will invite Members of the Committee to ask questions of the spokespersons. 2.7 While it is for the Chair to decide the stage at which officers should speak to their briefing, previous Committee practice has been for the Cabinet Member or Officer to speak to this after the Committee has heard from the petitioners. The Cabinet Member or Officer will then respond to any questions that Members of the Committee may have. In this case, as no decision has yet been made by Council, no Cabinet Member will address the committee. After the submissions and questions have been heard by the committee the parties will be given to opportunity to sum up prior to the committee taking its decision. 3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that the Committee considers the terms of the petition and agrees, or otherwise, to make a recommendation to Cabinet. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 No direct financial implications arising from this report. Human Resources 4.2 None arising from this report. Legal 4.3 None arising from this report. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None arising from this report.
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Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None arising from this report. Key Priorities 4.6 None arising from this report. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None arising from this report. 5. Consultation 5.1 The Head of Service (Connected Communities) has been consulted and made aware of the terms of the petition and has provided a briefing note which is attached as Appendix 1 to the report. Aileen Craig Head of Service (Democratic) For further information please contact Craig Stewart, Committee Services Officer, on 01294 324130 Background Papers Correspondence with lead petitioner
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Petition: Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts Briefing Background At the North Ayrshire Council meeting of 28th February 2024 the following saving was approved: Reduction of libraries opening hours by 20% and review all supplies and operational budgets. The proposal also includes a re-designed school library service.' The total saving decided was £438,437, with 9.5 FTE staffing posts impacted. Approach and Rationale Detailed proposals were developed to deliver the 20% reduction in hours across the public library estate, taking into account the following: • The existing locality library hub model, and future land and property transformation options • The range of services provided at each individual library, including additional services such as employability, banking etc. at certain locations • Customer Management System information and footfall information from individual branches • Community usage at each individual library • Additional demands to align staffing and ensure delivery of core services • Options to mitigate impacts upon the community including keyholding by groups. Staff helped create the initial draft plans, involving their local intelligence to assist in making small changes to the plans that had a big impact locally. A key consideration was the provision of contracts which provided meaningful employment hours for staff which were aligned to role profile responsibilities and working arrangements. In the overall planning, other key considerations were island proofing service delivery, and delivering on 'Forward - Scotland's Public Library Strategy'. The proposed future delivery model takes into consideration potential future needs, e.g. considering a locality based model of delivery with fewer buildings but a greater focus on the remaining buildings being locality hubs and the services which could be provided within them. Engagement has taken or will take place with stakeholders including staff, trade unions and elected members, The aim has been to design a service which meets community needs within the available financial envelope. As part of this individual discussions will take place with user groups to discuss how the changes may affect Appendix 1 them and what we can do to assist them mitigate any changes through co-design
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principles Summary of Revised Opening Times The revised opening times have been planned at locality basis, meaning that the average reduction in opening times across the branches totalled 20%. This approach allowed for opening hours to compliment those in nearby branches to ease the impact on the public. It also allowed for locality staff teams to cover the different branches, ensuring continuity of service and more meaningful contracts to the staff working there. As seen below, the reduction for the two libraries mentioned in this petition is a total of 16 opening hours, while the main locality library in Stevenston, which also serves as a staffing base, will have unchanged opening hours. The reduction across the locality will be from 78 to 62 hours of library service. This does not include any use of the facilities by groups who are part of keyholding arrangements. Locality Branch Current Proposed 3 Towns Ardrossan 24 16 Saltcoats 24 16 Stevenston 30 30 Rhonda Leith Head of Service (Connected Communities) 17th January 2025