To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Thursday 2 May 2024

 Petition

A petition, bearing over 1000 signatures has been received from Tracey Cansdale, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition states

“We the undersigned demand a formal consultation on the decision to close the Schools Library Service plus a commitment to rapidly explore and report on options to rehouse the existing library and maintain the service in some form, within a month and before any actions are taken to close it”

The petitioner will be allowed 5 minutes to outline their case, after which there may a debate of up to a maximum of 15 minutes

The Chairman advised that public questions had been received from Adam Fejfer, Teri Trickett, Victoria moore and Spencer Edwards. A copy of the questions and the responses provided are attached to the signed minutes and available from the web page for the meeting.

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 9th May, 2024, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Petition

The Chairman advised that a petition, bearing over 1000 signatures had been received from Tracey Cansdale, requesting a debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme.  The petition stated

“We the undersigned demand a formal consultation on the decision to close the Schools Library Service plus a commitment to rapidly explore and report on options to rehouse the existing library and maintain the service in some form, within a month and before any actions are taken to close it”.

Ms Cansdale was given 5 minutes to outline her case during which she stressed the importance of the School Library Service to schools and stated that may schools would not be able to afford the number of books currently supplied by the service.  She added that she felt the consultation currently being undertaken was flawed as there were barriers to the public being involved and school governors were not included as a connected category in the stakeholder survey.  In closing she stated that the petition showed that there was a clear public will for the Council to be subsidising this service in the medium term until enough time is given for more marketing, sponsorship and income generation, and that the resounding message of the 4300 signatures of the petition is that Council taxpayers are aghast at the thought of it being lost.

During the debate Members highlighted the value of the service for schools, especially in rural areas, and the impact on children's learning and development.  A Member expressed concern that the correct procedures has not been followed prior to schools being advised that the service was being discontinued.

In summing up the Portfolio Holder for Children and Education stated that a consultation had been commenced with all schools that use the service and a report would be brought to Cabinet in September. She urged everyone to take part in the consultation.  She commented that as the consultation had not ended there was currently insufficient information to base any action on and proposed that no further action be taken.

On being put to a recorded vote with 36 Members voting for, 30 against and no abstentions as follows:

FOR:

Councillors Aldcroft, Anderson, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Bird, Broomhall, Burchett, Butler, Charmley, Dakin, Davenport, Elner, D Evans, Gill, Gittins, Hignett, Hunt, Hurst- Knight, M Jones, S Jones, Lea Luff, Lumby, Macey, Morris, Mullock, Nellins, Picton, Potter, Schofield, Thomas, Tindall, Wild, B Williams and Wynn

AGAINST:

Councillors Bagnall, Bentick, Boddington, Buckley, Clarke, Connolly, Dartnall, Davies, Dean, J Evans, R Evans, Green, Halliday, Hartin, Houghton, R Huffer, Isherwood, Kerr, Kidd, Minnery, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parsons, Sherrington, Turley, Vasmer, Wagner, M Williams and Wilson

It was RESOLVED:

That no further action be taken