Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Communities introduced the report and highlighted that the Council had a duty to ensure the provision of a comprehensive and efficient library service, which it was committed to continue to do.

He explained that Redditch Borough Council had an aspiration to open up the town centre and this involved a proposal to relocate the library to the Town Hall.  The plans demonstrated that the library could be relocated to enable the delivery of the same services as it currently provided and with a modest increase in floor space.  The commercial details were to be finalised, but the report referred to the principles required to be achieved to enable to move to take place. 

The Cabinet member referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board in Redditch on 25 October, which he had attended, and the commitment given by him that the Council was in listening mode.  The Council was planning to consult on the proposals for a 12 week period and would consider the responses to the consultation fully before reaching a final decision.

Councillor Emma Stokes reported on behalf of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board, where public speaking had been facilitated and members had asked questions of the Leader of Redditch Borough Council about the context of the proposals and of the Cabinet Member and senior officer about the consideration for the library service.  The main issue raised during the OSPB meeting had been about ensuring the consultation was carried out effectively.

A non-member of the Cabinet asked what would happen if the outcome from the consultation showed a majority against the proposed relocation and the Cabinet member reported that all responses would be taken into account. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet

a)    Noted the proposals for re-locating Redditch Library as part of Redditch’s Town Plan Deal;

b)   Approved the set of high-level plans and requirements for the re-location of Redditch Library as set out in the report; 

c)    Approved the commencement of formal public consultation on the proposed plans for the relocation;

d)   Authorised the Strategic Director for Commercial and Change in collaboration with the Chief Finance Officer and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities, to progress further negotiations with Redditch Borough Council for the commercial arrangements for the proposed library relocation and transfer of the library site to Redditch Borough Council, based on the main heads of terms as set out in paragraph 21 of the report; and

e)    Will receive a further report, in May 2023, on the outcome of the consultation and the negotiations with Redditch Borough Council.