Archived decisions

R.J. Baulk

p A. Broadhurst

a P.J. Chegwyn

p Dr R.J. Ellis

p E.F. Gale MBE

p R.J. Kimber

a P.K. Mason

p J.J. Maxwell

a R.H. Price

p A.W. Rice, TD

p D.F. Wright

22.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

ACTION

It was reported that apologies for absence had been received on behalf of Councillors Chegwyn, Mason and Price.

23.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or a personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting should declare their personal interest and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed. The declaration to be made at the time of the relevant debate.

No such interests were declared on this occasion.

24.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman had no communications to make.

25.

REVENUE BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 ONWARDS

The Committee considered the reports of the County Treasurer and Director of Recreation and Heritage on the revenue budget and capital programme for 2007/08 and thereafter (Item 4 in the Minute Book). The Chairman reminded members that the meeting had been convened at their specific request in order to give them the opportunity to scrutinise the budget and to offer any advice to the Cabinet.

The Director of Recreation and Heritage drew members attention to the particular constraints on Recreation and Heritage's budget in the broader context of the County Council's financial situation, and referred in particular to the budgetary problems faced by the Library Service. These included the facts that income was declining whilst employee costs were continuing to rise, and it was therefore essential to come up with a sustainable stabilisation programme over the next 2-3 years which would avoid the need for unpalatable options such as reducing the book fund, cutting opening hours or closing libraries. In his view this could only be achieved by a phased and sensitively managed programme of reductions in staffing costs, ideally through voluntary redundancy, and a programme of refocusing skills and services to meet the needs of the public.

Some members expressed concern at the likely local impact of the changes on libraries services and staff; drew attention to the adverse impact of uncertainty in terms of staff morale; and suggested that more should be done to generate income. However most members considered that the Library Service needed to achieve levels of staff and services which were sustainable in the long-term, and met public needs in terms of content, accessibility and opening hours. The proposal to reduce staffing costs and restructure the library service, although unsettling, aimed to create a financial situation where the book fund could be protected and services to the public further improved. Most members felt that the scope for further sales and income generation was limited, but even if opportunities could be found they would not go far enough to meet savings at the level required to balance the library budget. Members stressed the continued investment being made in the redevelopment and refurbishment of library premises to make them more welcoming and noted that the overall performance of the service was improving.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the budget strategy for Recreation and Heritage services adopted by the Executive Member at her decision day on 18 January, and commends that approach to the Cabinet.