Petition - 'Proposed closure of Beith Library'
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: “Proposed closure of Beith Library” Purpose: To advise Cabinet of the outcome of consideration by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee of a petition in relation to Beith Library. 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 Special meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 6 February 2025, Members considered a report by the Head of Service (Democratic) on the terms of a petition received in relation to “proposed closure of Beith Library”. 1.2 The petitioners and Head of Service (Connected Communities) 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 6 February, setting out the terms of the petition, is attached as Appendix 1 and is also outlined below:- “Please find enclosed the following signatures from the people of Beith who are very concerned at the closure of Beith Library. The people of Beith rely on the various services the library provides for them for all ages in the community. Please can we ask you to pass on this petition to the relevant parties before the February budget meeting. Please do not close this library as it has been at the heart of the community for many years and our town cannot have the eyesore of another empty building.” 2.2 The principal spokespersons outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • The library offered a safe and easily accessible hub, for all ages, as well as encouraging and fostering community spirit and friendship;
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• Combatting adult loneliness and social isolation, especially in the elderly population by bringing the community together through the many social and group activities available within the library, particularly given difficulties of older citizens and those with disabilities in accessing public transport; • The loss of educational facilities if the proposal was to go ahead as it was extensively used by Beith Primary and Nursery children due to its close location and ease of getting there; • The central location of the library, allowing ease of access to the local community and if the closure went ahead, another empty building in the town, the possible reduction in footfall for local traders and the difficulty for residents to access facilities in other locations due to the lack of public transport in the Garnock Valley; • The benefits of encouraging digital and computer use, in the local community particularly those affected by cost-of-living pressures including those using the library facilities for seeking employment opportunities; and • The value of the libraries, in bringing people together through the many group activities on offer, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if this proposal was to proceed. 2.3 Having heard from the petitioners, the Head of Service (Connected Communities) and the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) were 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. 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 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 (Special) – 6 February 2025
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 6 February 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Committee (Special) Title: Petition: “Proposed closure of Beith Library” Purpose: To advise the Committee of the terms of a petition regarding “proposed closure of Beith Library”. 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 408 signatories on a petition addressed to the Chief Executive in relation to “proposed closure of Beith Library” which was acknowledged as a valid petition in terms of the Council’s Deputations and Petitions Procedure on 28 January 2025. 2. Background 2.1 The wording of the petition is detailed below: “Please find enclosed the following signatures from the people of Beith who are very concerned at the closure of Beith Library. The people of Beith rely on the various services the library provides for them for all ages in the community. Please can we ask you to pass on this petition to the relevant parties before the February budget meeting. Please do not close this library as it has been at the heart of the community for many years and our town cannot have the eyesore of another empty building.” Appendix 1
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2.2 There is provision in Standing Orders for 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. 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. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None arising from this report.
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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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Appendix 1 Petition – Possible Closure of Beith Library Overview The Council is facing unprecedented financial challenges which may impact on its ability to deliver front line services. An engagement exercise regarding the future budget was carried out in late 2024. This put forward a range of potential savings or ways to generate income and invited the public to feed back on the impact that these would have, should they be implemented. This exercise allowed for early engagement with residents to find out how the 2025 to 2026 budget may affect communities across North Ayrshire. The feedback can then inform any decisions made by the Council. Proposal The engagement exercise included the following proposal around the library service: This proposal is to retain the following libraries: • North Coast and Cumbrae - Millport, Largs, West Kilbride • Three Towns - Ardrossan, Stevenston • Arran - Brodick and Mobile library • Kilwinning – Kilwinning • Irvine – Irvine • Garnock Valley – Kilbirnie The proposal will involve the closure of the following six branch libraries – Skelmorlie, Fairlie, Dalry, Beith, Saltcoats and Dreghorn. Further information The engagement exercise received over 4,000 responses in total, and 38 conversations regarding the proposals were held with different community groups. The feedback regarding all proposals which were part of the engagement exercise is currently being analysed. No decisions have been made regarding any budget savings for the 2025/26 financial year and the results of the engagement will help inform any proposals which will be carried forward. Conclusion The Council will consider the responses to the engagement as part of the budget setting process for 2025/26. North Ayrshire Council will meet on 26th February to agree its budget for the following year. Rhonda Leith Head of Service (Connected Communities North Ayrshire Council 10 January 2025