Issue - meetings

In January, Cabinet agreed that a business plan should be drawn up to determine whether it would be in the overall interests of the Council to transfer its Libraries and Archive Service to a social enterprise.  This report summarises the results of this work.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Library and Archive staff establishing Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual as a Community Benefit Society.

(ii)          The award in principle of a contract to the Community Benefit Society through a single tender action.

(iii)        Nominate an individual to the Community Benefit Society Board.

(iv)    Delegate to the Director of CANS in consultation with the Director of CBSS the negotiation of the contract.

(iv)        The contract terms being brought back to Cabinet for approval.

REASON:           To create the best delivery model for libraries and archive services in York.

Consideration was given to a report which summarised work undertaken on a business plan to determine whether it would be in the overall interests of the Council to transfer its Libraries and Archives service to a social enterprise.

Staff of the Libraries and Archives Service, who would form the social enterprise, had considered this a viable proposition which represented an exciting and enterprising route to developing new forms of service delivery. The key conclusions of the project boards report confirmed that the best possible legal model would be a Community Benefit Society (CBS) with exempt charitable status, the aims and objectives of which were set out at Annex A of the report.

Extensive public and staff consultation had been undertaken in which the main concerns had related to library closures, reductions in hours and loss of staff.

The vision and delivery of the CBS, which would build on the success of the Explore concept, was set out in detail at paragraphs17 to 47. Information on the governance of the CBS including the structure, Board of Directors and suggestions for the formation of Advisory Groups to assist in the running of the Society were reported at paragraphs 48 to 54. Detailed business plans had been prepared and financial projections over a 5 year period had shown projected savings of £200k for 2014/15, whilst maintaining paid staff in every library with no closures.

An implementation plan would now be developed and a shadow board set up, with formal staff consultation and community engagement, with a further report back to Cabinet in November.

The Cabinet Member confirmed staff support for the proposals and referred to the challenging business plan and potential risks, whilst delivering the necessary savings. Other Cabinet Members referred to the exciting opportunities this afforded the city whilst retaining the library service.

Officers spoke, on behalf of library staff, confirming that they were conscious of the trust placed in them if agreement was given to the social enterprise. Pointing out that this was a viable proposition which would ensure that this important service was maintained and developed.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Library and Archive staff establishing Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual as a Community Benefit Society.

(ii)          The award in principle of a contract to the Community Benefit Society through a single tender action.

(iii)        Nominate an individual to the Community Benefit Society Board.

(iv)    Delegate to the Director of CANS in consultation with the Director of CBSS the negotiation of the contract.

(v)         The contract terms being brought back to Cabinet for approval. ^1.

REASON:           To create the best delivery model for libraries and archive services in York.