Lead Member – Mr Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North).

Report of the Director of Commissioning is attached, marked 11.

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RESOLVED:

i)              That the approach described within this report to redesign Shropshire Council’s library services and customer service points be confirmed and approved.

ii)                   That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, Culture and Commissioning (North) for the future library decision making required as the recommended approach is delivered.

iii)                 That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Support for the future Customer Service Point decision making required as the recommended approach is delivered.

The Portfolio Holder for Business, Culture and Commissioning (North) introduced a report of the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to signed minutes – which outlined and confirmed the approach that Shropshire Council would adopt for the redesign and commissioning of its library service and customer service points.

Mr M Green read a statement on behalf of Shropshire Libraries Yes Campaign – a copy is attached to the signed minutes. 

During the ensuing discussion the Portfolio Holder said that the very last course of action the authority wished to take was close any libraries.  He confirmed that any approach or suggestion of alternatives would be welcomed and evaluated.  A Member from a rural electoral division made reference to the success of some small libraries being operated by social enterprises in very rural locations.   Another Member asked if the Council would be able to guarantee alternative operations would be sustainable for a reasonable period of time.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that proposals would be subject to long and detailed discussions to ensure they were sustainable. 

RESOLVED:

i)        That the approach described within this report to redesign Shropshire Council’s library           services and customer service points be confirmed and approved.

ii)        That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with           the Portfolio Holder for Business, Culture and Commissioning (North) for the future library           decision making required as the recommended approach is delivered.

iii)       That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the           Portfolio Holder for Resources and Support for the future Customer Service Point decision           making required as the recommended approach is delivered.