The County Council Cabinet is meeting on the 8th February to discuss reductions in hours for Essex libraries.
You can download the report here.
The introduction to the report says:
Purpose of report
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The purpose of this report is to bring before Cabinet proposals for Essex County Council?s Library Service to make savings of ?4 million over the two financial years, 2011/12 and 2012/13.Recommendation
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Cabinet is asked to consider the recommendations to achieve ?1.957M savings per annum through the following areas:
o Review of staffing levels, capacity and need. This will deliver ?744,000 per annum in savings and will impact on 21 posts.
o Review of library service opening hours, helping to save ?857,000 per annum. It is proposed that opening hours of the 73 static libraries be reduced overall by 16% from 2,652 hours per week to 2,232 hours, with library opening hours based on 6 bandings linked to catchment area population. It is proposed that no branch library be closed down.
o Review of mobile library routes and fleet. This will deliver ?106,000 per annum in savings and will impact on 2 FTE posts. Routes are being re-configured but with no reduction in communities served.
o Reduction in the stock resource fund. This will deliver savings of ?250,000 per annum.
What do the proposals mean for our district’s libraries? The proposed cuts in hours are in this spreadsheet
Great Wakering – reduce from 19 to 16 hours per week
Hockley – reduce from 44 to 34 hours per week
Hullbridge – a relatively big reduction from 30 to 16 hours per week
Rayleigh – from 62 to 48 hours per week
Rochford – from 54 to 34 hours per week
With the exception of Great Wakering , our libraries are facing cuts in hours well above the 16 percent average… but at least no libraries are being closed.
By the way, Colchester Lib Dem Nick Barlow discusses it on his website here.
I have added this to the agenda of the next Hullbridge Parish Council meeting on the 14th.
I would greatly welcome any residents views on this.
Also are there any Focus vistors who live outside Hullbridge but use our Libary?
I have added this to the agenda of the next Hullbridge Parish Council meeting on the 14th.
I would greatly welcome any residents views on this.
Also are there any Focus visitors who live outside Hullbridge but use our Libary?
Hullbridge 16 hours – why bother keeping it open, it’s surely the next step they will take! I’m sure there’s a lot of residents who will be badly affected by this proposal.
Angelina – I live on the border of Rayleigh and Rawreth and regularly use Hullbridge library. Although I can get to the library any time, I think the reduction in hours is too much and will impede on other users.
Rita, Thank you, I am working on the argument that our catchment area extends beyond Hullbridge as people from Battlesbridge, Rawreth and north Rayleigh may use the Hullbridge Library.
Angelina, I think that’s the right approach to take….
Hiya Angelina,
We live in Rayleigh and we use Hullbridge Library out of choice because we like it more than Rayleigh. Small but perfectly formed and ideal for families with young children.
Also it is worth noting that the population of Hullbridge is 7,300 as published on Rochford District Council’s website. This alone puts Hullbridge above the 7,000 barrier and gives, on these proposals, opening hours of 24 per week rather than the proposed 16.
Once we add on those in Rawreth and Rayliegh borders who would naturally use Hullbridge library rather than Rayleigh the catchment will be even further over the 7,000 threshold.
Angelina, will the library help with this collection of data (or is that not ‘allowed’)?
Bryan, The Library staff are not allowed to voice an opinion, however I will find out what information they are able to supply us with.
When I visited Yesterday they were handing out flyers advising of the forthcoming consultation. The forms were not available as the consultation does not start until the 14th so I do not know if name and address are asked for or if it asked what library someone uses.
I live in Rayleigh and use Hullbridge Library. Driving to Hullbridge is quicker than getting to Rayleigh town centre, and there’s free parking. There’s slightly less choice of books (although you can reserve books if required), but I found the childrens books were generally in better condition than those found in Rayleigh library.
They changed the opening hours last year so that Saturday opening was more restricted, which was a bit of a pain. Reducing the hours further should not be considered.
I find it a great shame that Hullbridge Library should have its hours cut so dramatically. I always use it – friendly staff, much easier parking than Rayleigh. I live on the Rawreth side of Rayleigh.