Decision taken on the future of Ellesmere Library
Plans to create a new community hub in Ellesmere by relocating the town’s existing library and customer service point from their existing location in Fullwood House to the nearby Meres Day Centre has been approved.
The decision was made yesterday (Thursday 17 December 2015) at a Joint Portfolio Holder Decision-Making Session between the Cabinet member for business and culture, and Cabinet member for resources, finance and support.
The proposals, which also include the transfer of the services, along with the existing Meres Day Centre service for older people and people with learning disabilities, from Shropshire Council to a new management organisation, were outlined in a report at the meeting. The new management organisation will be confirmed following an open procurement process.
Approval of the “Future management of Ellesmere Library Service and Customer Service Point” report follows months of extensive talks and consultations with local organisations and residents around the future and sustainability of Ellesmere Library, and has been ongoing since March 2015.
Out of the more than 300 residents and organisations who responded to the consultation survey, 40.13% supported proposal 1 to move the library and customer service point to the Meres Day Centre, whilst only 24.27% were in favour of proposal 2, for Shropshire Council to run the library with reduced opening hours. The remaining 35.6% of those who responded provided alternative proposals, though these did not provide the same opportunity as the Meres Day Centre to sustain the library within alternative management arrangements.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business and culture, said:
“We know that libraries play a vital role in the well-being of our communities. This is why we have been working hard with local people, organisations and staff over the past year, to try and find the best solutions to meeting the needs of the local community so that their library can continue to flourish.
“With the proposals the library will be open for a minimum of 20.5 hours per week; however, it is hoped that it will be possible to increase these within the new management arrangements.”
David Turner, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for customer services, added:
“Yesterday’s approval provides a sustainable future for the library and customer service point in a new location in Ellesmere, and the creation of a community hub.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the community conversations to help us find the best way to maintain the library in Ellesmere, within the budgets available.”
Ann Hartley, local Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere Urban, said:
“I know that Ellesmere Library and customer service point is such an important asset to the people of Ellesmere. We have worked extremely hard with local residents to try and find the best way forward to ensure their library remains at the heart of our community. I am pleased that residents have come forward with their views and ideas, and that we can now continue to work together to ensure our library and other services continue to serve the needs of local residents.”
Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult services, commented:
“The Meres Day Centre is a valued resource for older people and people with learning disabilities in Ellesmere and the surrounding area. The centre already has a community café which is open to the public.
“Having the library and customer service point at the Meres greatly enhances its potential to become a real and vibrant ‘community hub’ for Ellesmere.”
The Joint Portfolio Holder decision is subject to call in by scrutiny committee.
To view the full report click here.
Further information
Recommendations in the report included:
1. That the management of Ellesmere Library is transferred from Shropshire Council to a new organisation to be confirmed following an open procurement exercise. This will be supported by a contract between Shropshire Council and the new managing organisation, details of which will be confirmed following negotiations.
2. That the management of Ellesmere Customer Service Point is transferred from Shropshire Council to a new organisation to be confirmed following an open procurement exercise. Similarly this will be supported by a contract between Shropshire Council and the new managing organisation, details of which will be confirmed following negotiations.
3. To delegate authority to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) to take any further consequential decisions relating to the transfer of the library.
4. To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources & Support to take any further consequential decisions relating to the transfer of the customer service point.
Although Portfolio Holder Decision-Making Sessions are not open to the public, members of the public are welcome to submit a request to address or ask a question of the member/s making the Portfolio Holder decision.
Any request should be submitted in writing to the Chief Executive at Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND by no later than 2 clear working days before the proposed Member Session. This is to ensure that the individual member has sufficient time to decide whether or not to hear such people, and if so, the arrangements can be made. If you would like further details please telephone 01743 257712 or email jane.palmer@shropshire.gov.uk.
