Agenda item

With reference to article 7 of the minute of the meeting of 23 January 2024, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director – Families and Communities, which explained that officers were instructed to continue to collaborate with stakeholders in designing a strategic vision and model for the Library and Information Service, and asked to report back with a proposed vision and service delivery model to this meeting. 

It was also noted that this Committee instructed that a consultation on the proposed Library and Information Services Management Rules be undertaken, with results reported back to seek a decision on whether such Rules should be made, all in accordance with section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

Ms Sheppard, Executive Director – Families and Communities spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members.

The Committee was then addressed by Councillor Boulton, raising concerns in relation to the recommendations on behalf of her constituents.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)           note the work undertaken to develop a new model for Library and Information Services which aligns more deliberately to “education and lifelong learning” as a determinant of population health;

(b)           endorse the working vision for the Library and Information Services outlined at paragraph 3.32;

(c)           endorse the Future Model of Library and Information Services presented at paragraphs 3.33 – 3.38;

(d)           instruct the Executive Director Families and Communities to present a detailed phased Implementation Plan which reflects plans for internal zoning of the Central Library and testing of the Library and Information Service as an integral part of the emerging model of Family Support to the next meeting of the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee;

(e)           note the feedback on the Library and Information Service Management Rules; and

(f)             agree not to make Library Management Rules; and

(g)           agree to refer the previous income targets set against the library service to the budget setting process;

The Convener moved, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

          That the Committee approve the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Graham moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Tissera:-

          That the Committee:-

1.    Instruct the Executive Director - Families and Communities to ensure that any future model for Library and Information Services should include the provision of Libraries in Cornhill, Cults, Ferryhill, Northfield, Kaimhill and Woodside and to bring a report on such future model to a future meeting of this Committee for approval; and

2.    Instruct the Executive Director - Families and Communities to review the information gained to date and bring forward to a future meeting of this Committee a strategy and an implementation plan to ensure an identification of what is currently supplied in individual libraries and what is missing and the identification of ways to ensure details given in 3.35 and 3.37 are available at all Libraries throughout Aberdeen.  This should follow the principles of 20-minute neighbourhoods for Scotland as detailed in the Programme for Government 2020 - 2021 which committed the Scottish Government to working with local government and other partners to take forward ambitious plans for 20 minute neighbourhoods in Scotland. Rather than the current plans and visions which had seen and will see the massive destruction in our disadvantaged communities such as the removal of libraries, doctors’ surgeries, police stations, nurseries, swimming pools and schools.

On a division, there voted – for the motion (5) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Bouse, Davidson and McLellan – for the amendment (4) – Councillors Cross, Graham, Mrs Stewart and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)    to note that the Executive Director – Families and Communities, would engage with Community Councils and ward members in regards to the future library and information service model at community level; and

(j)    to adopt the motion.