Agenda item
Questions to the Cabinet Leader and Cabinet Members received under Standing Order 11.3(a)
To deal with the following questions to the Cabinet Leader and / or other Cabinet Members, in accordance with Standing Order 11.3(a):
(i) To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Aspden:
“The ‘Voting Age (Reduction to 16) Bill 2012-13’ sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Williams is due for its second reading on 26th April. Will the Cabinet Leader continue his efforts to promote this reform and join me in lobbying York Outer MP Julian Sturdy?”
(ii) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Aspden:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline what has happened to residents who previously received support in the “moderate” care bracket. How many residents have been reassessed and how many now have care needs classified as “substantial”?”
(iii) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget confirmed plans to move the Warden Call service to a ‘social enterprise’ model. Could the Cabinet Member ensure all options are considered before a final decision is taken and proper consultation takes place with users of the service?”
(iv) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Aspden:
“How will the community be involved in decisions on the future of the Fordlands site in Fulford?”
(v) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Orrell:
“Following the recommendation of the Fairness Commission to set up an Equity Release Scheme when does the Cabinet Member expect the scheme to start?”
(vi) To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included a further £150,000 cut to Youth Services in 2014/15. Could the Cabinet Member guarantee that the Council will continue to fund and supervise Youth Centres and none will close as a result of this funding reduction?”
(vii) To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included plans to scrap the Toy Library Bus in 2014/15. In a recent letter to the Council concerned parents said that “To lose this wonderful resource would be to the detriment of young learners’ creative development in the York area.” Will the Cabinet Member listen to these concerns and rethink this cut?”
(viii) To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included plans to cease directly offering play grants and transfer this to Your Consortium. Could the Cabinet Member outline what impact this will have on groups such as SNAPPY?”
(ix) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Reid:
“The Green Deal has the potential to deliver significant environmental, social and economic benefits for York. Could the Cabinet Member outline what plans are in place to ensure that York residents benefit from this opportunity?”
(x) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline what consultation will take place with residents in Acomb, Holgate, Dringhouses & Woodthorpe and Westfield under the next phase of the Council’s 20mph roll-out and could he assure these residents that their views will be listened to?”
(xi) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Reid:
“Who decided on the design and the position of the new seats that have appeared across the City Centre? Would the Cabinet Member agree that they look no different from a municipal park bench and that in many cases they have replaced other street furniture that was considered to be “clutter”?”
(xii) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Runciman:
“The carbon reduction initiative, begun by the Liberal Democrats in 2007, has reduced council emissions by 28% over the past five years. What plans are in place to build on this progress?”
(xiii) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Aspden:
“Liberal Democrat run Bath & North East Somerset Council have a fully functioning system for community groups to register ‘Assets of Community Value’ under powers granted under the Localism Act. Could the Cabinet Member outline when community groups will be able to register assets in York and how this process will work?”
(xiv) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Firth:
“Given Labour’s manifesto promise to invest “more money for road repairs” can the Cabinet Member explain why spending on road maintenance and repair fell from £6,388,000 in 2011 to £4,428,000 in 2012?”
(xv) To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member update Council on the situation regarding the Waste PFI project?”
(xvi) To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline the new schedule for grass verge cutting after the cuts to ‘Smarter York’ in this year’s Budget?”
(xvii) To the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member detail the spending on public art in West Offices, where each installation is from, and where they can be viewed by the public?”
(xviii) To the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from Cllr Cuthbertson:
“How many queries has the Council received about the Housing Benefit changes due to come into effect next month and how many outstanding queries have the Council yet to deal with?”
(xix) To the Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities from Cllr Orrell:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline how much ward committees will receive in funding next year?”
(xx) To the Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities from Cllr Firth:
“The funding for Your Consortium is due to end this month. Could the Cabinet Member outline what plans are in place for voluntary sector grant funding after this?”
(xxi) To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism from Cllr Runciman:
“Suffolk County Council’s policy of cutting library funding and then outsourcing the service to an Industrial Provident Society has resulted in widespread public opposition, staff reporting the service was at “breaking point”, and last month Stowmarket Library launching a fundraising drive in a bid to stay open. What lessons does the Cabinet Member draw for York from this?”
(xxii) To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism from Cllr Runciman:
“How much is the Council paying Mutual Ventures for its work on the changes to the library and archive service?”
Minutes:
Twenty two questions had been submitted to the Cabinet Leader and Cabinet Members under Standing Order 11.3(a). The guillotine having fallen at this point, Members agreed to receive written answers to their questions, as set out below:
(i) To the Cabinet Leader from Cllr Aspden:
“The ‘Voting Age (Reduction to 16) Bill 2012-13’ sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Williams is due for its second reading on 26th April. Will the Cabinet Leader continue his efforts to promote this reform and join me in lobbying York Outer MP Julian Sturdy?”
Reply:
“Yes.”
(ii) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Aspden:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline what has happened to residents who previously received support in the “moderate” care bracket. How many residents have been reassessed and how many now have care needs classified as “substantial”?”
Reply:
“184 residents who received support at ‘Moderate’ received a review. Approximately half (92) were re-designated as having substantial needs, either because their needs had changed since their previous review, or because it was agreed their needs had been wrongly designated as moderate – this is not unusual as peoples needs to change with time due to age and changes in their health situation. Those who remained at Moderate level were offered advice information and support to find alternative ways to meet their needs.”
(iii) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget confirmed plans to move the Warden Call service to a ‘social enterprise’ model. Could the Cabinet Member ensure all options are considered before a final decision is taken and proper consultation takes place with users of the service?”
Reply:
“Cllr Aspden should be aware that due to continued Government cuts to the funding of Local Government we are being actively being supported by Government to look at alternative models to deliver services. Consideration of the options and a full business case will be the subject of a report to Cabinet on the 7th May. Consultation with customers and stakeholders continues and will be included in the report.”
(iv) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Aspden:
“How will the community be involved in decisions on the future of the Fordlands site in Fulford?”
Reply:
“I have no involvement in decisions on the future of the Fordland’s site. Property services and the Capital Asset Board are dealing with this and this is not within my portfolio area.”
(v) To the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services from Cllr Orrell:
“Following the recommendation of the Fairness Commission to set up an Equity Release Scheme when does the Cabinet Member expect the scheme to start?”
Reply:
“I am glad to see that Cllr Orrell has read the Fairness Commission report. His question relates to the ‘Idea’s for action’ companion report that supported the development of the recommendations in the September 2012 report.
One idea that was presented as part of the consultation was to:
‘Consider equity release scheme for ‘asset rich but cash poor’ elderly homeowners to access {to cash to enable improvements / sustained independent living}.
Whilst this could form a part within any long term strategy to delivering a balanced housing market, our focus has been on the key recommendations arising from the report.”
(vi) To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included a further £150,000 cut to Youth Services in 2014/15. Could the Cabinet Member guarantee that the Council will continue to fund and supervise Youth Centres and none will close as a result of this funding reduction?”
Reply:
“The Youth Support Service has been through a process of significant transformation over the past year. This work has helped to modernise the offer to young people in the City and to prioritise individual support for vulnerable young people. In fact the majority of youth work now takes place in a wide range of settings throughout the City – including URBIE. There is also considerable spare capacity at Moor Lane and the 68 Centre for use by other services and community organisations.
In these circumstances it is only right the we review our use of Youth Service buildings to make sure we are not only continuing to deliver the kind of Youth Support Services we need, but that they are in the right locations; and that council assets are being used to the full.
We will be conducting a review over the coming months and I am expecting that by September this year we will be able to bring forward our detailed plan that will meet our plans for the new service offer, and details of the budget reductions.
The review will be undertaken jointly with colleagues in Community and Neighbourhoods and Property Services to determine the best future us for these buildings.”
(vii) To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included plans to scrap the Toy Library Bus in 2014/15. In a recent letter to the Council concerned parents said that “To lose this wonderful resource would be to the detriment of young learners’ creative development in the York area.” Will the Cabinet Member listen to these concerns and rethink this cut?”
Reply:
“We are consulting with users of the Toy Library after Easter about ways of continuing to provide the service in the light of the Bus itself no longer being fit to continue in service for much longer. It is possible that we could provide the service through Children’s Centres – which now have a much wider reach than when the Toy Bus was originally commissioned. We are open to other ideas and suggestions and will listen to views, but the costs of replacing the actual bus are prohibitive. While consultations take place the Toy Bus will continue while we consider other options.”
(viii) To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included plans to cease directly offering play grants and transfer this to Your Consortium. Could the Cabinet Member outline what impact this will have on groups such as SNAPPY?”
Reply:
“Over 2014/2015 the Play grants will transfer to Your Consortium. This is in line with the policy of making grants to voluntary organisations via an arms length group. The current criteria for the Community York will be revisited to take into account the priorities from the new Taking Play Forward policy. Play organisations will be able to apply to the Community York fund and there would seem to be no reason why SNAPPY along with the other play organisations should not be eligible for grants.”
(ix) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Reid:
“The Green Deal has the potential to deliver significant environmental, social and economic benefits for York. Could the Cabinet Member outline what plans are in place to ensure that York residents benefit from this opportunity?”
Reply:
“A paper is going to Cabinet recommending that CYC participate in a programme to procure a Leeds City Region Green Deal Provider.
http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=6883
This scheme, in its first 3 years, will aim to deliver Green Deal Packages of energy efficiency measures across York’s homes (see above paper).
In addition, and to compliment the Green Deal, the LCR provider will also secure ECO funding for the city, which may fully fund or subsidise certain qualifying energy efficiency measures (see paper for more details). A communication plan will also support the programme.
Whilst a regional provider will be sought, the scheme aims to be delivered locally, and has potential for local job creation, training and skills development and to tackle climate change and fuel poverty priorities in the City.
We are already piloting elements of the Green Deal in the city, including our solid wall insulation pilot
http://www.york.gov.uk/press/article/174/york_to_trial_solid_wall_insulation_in_the_city
We also recently put on a business engagement/upskilling event for local businesses on the opportunities surrounding the Green Deal.”
(x) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline what consultation will take place with residents in Acomb, Holgate, Dringhouses & Woodthorpe and Westfield under the next phase of the Council’s 20mph roll-out and could he assure these residents that their views will be listened to?”
Reply:
“Consultation on the scheme has already started with officers attending ward committees to gain and understanding of residents opinions and feedback on the initial scheme design. This will be built on over the next month, leading up to the advertising of the formal order in April.
Information about the proposals will be displayed at key community venues in the areas, alongside a series of ‘information days’ allowing officers to meet face to face with residents in key public locations – these will be confirmed in due course. Information will also be made available online on the Council Website and the dedicated York20mph site.
The 20mph@york.gov.uk email address has been active for several months now and residents have already contacted us through this channel to voice their opinion, social media portals are also available to receive comment on an informal basis.
The formal aspect of the consultation will follow, leading up to the advertising of the traffic order in the press and on street. Household with a frontage on to the proposed new 20mph speed limits will receive a letter, accompanied by plans, inviting them to make representations, if they so wish.
Representations are recorded, considered and reported as part of the legal process in making of the traffic order, which I will then consider, and I can assure that I will always look very carefully at what people have to say.”
(xi) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Reid:
“Who decided on the design and the position of the new seats that have appeared across the City Centre? Would the Cabinet Member agree that they look no different from a municipal park bench and that in many cases they have replaced other street furniture that was considered to be “clutter”?”
Reply:
“The design for these was considered by the officer design group, in the light of the poor state of a number of the existing seats, the fact that many existing seats didn’t conform with current standards or disabled user needs and finally to address gaps in provision that leave disabled people who need to sit down at frequent intervals in some difficulties. Many of these issues were identified in the York City Centre Access & Mobility Audit that I commissioned on taking office and reflected feedback from equality groups. The design was then endorsed by the Reinvigorate York Board, following consultation. Extensive efforts were made to consult equality groups, particularly disabled, to ensure the designs approved could cater for the needs of a wide range of individual needs.
Providing suitable seating areas in the city centre is an important element of the “offer” to residents and visitors, and therefore enhances the public realm rather than introducing “clutter”. We have received some positive feedback on the introduction.
Wherever possible we should try and have seating every 400m ish, this is not always possible in Coney Street. Most of the benches are additional not replacements.”
(xii) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Runciman:
“The carbon reduction initiative, begun by the Liberal Democrats in 2007, has reduced council emissions by 28% over the past five years. What plans are in place to build on this progress?”
Reply:
“Feasibility work is currently being undertaken to develop a new post 2013 carbon management programme, Any new programme will need to build on the success of the Council’s Green Audit which identified over 400 tonnes of savings from energy efficiency /renewable energy measures across ten schools. These emission savings will from the basis of a wider portfolio of forthcoming projects from across the Council (including opportunities form capital and asset management programmes) to save the Council further carbon over the coming years.
Officers will be bringing forward a paper for consideration by myself.”
(xiii) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Aspden:
“Liberal Democrat run Bath & North East Somerset Council have a fully functioning system for community groups to register ‘Assets of Community Value’ under powers granted under the Localism Act. Could the Cabinet Member outline when community groups will be able to register assets in York and how this process will work?”
Reply:
“The straight answer is no, but work is underway by Officers in Resources, Planning and other Directorates to positively address the opportunity of the new legislation, and I will be working with my colleague, Julie Gunnell, who will be leading on this.”
(xiv) To the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability from Cllr Firth:
“Given Labour’s manifesto promise to invest “more money for road repairs” can the Cabinet Member explain why spending on road maintenance and repair fell from £6,388,000 in 2011 to £4,428,000 in 2012?”
Reply:
“As Cllr Firth well knows, the manifesto promise he quotes refers specifically to a commitment to an increase of £60,000 following a Labour win in the May 2011 Local Elections. He may remember that we did win that election, while the Liberal Democrats lost a dozen of their 20 seats, and this commitment was included in our June 2011 Budget (which the Lib Dems voted against). As such this is a pledge we have honoured, a concept I know the Liberal Democrats are unfamiliar with.
With regards to the difference in spend between 2011/12 and 2012/13, this can largely be accounted for by a drop in Government funding, which unfortunately for the people of York, the Labour Party has no control of.
Regrettably, massive Government cuts to the Council’s budget mean difficult decisions have to be taken, and Opposition plans to borrow huge amounts of money for filling potholes now, that residents will have to pay for in the future, is incredibly irresponsible.
It is worth noting that latest Department of Transport figures confirm the condition of York’s principal road network is the best in the Yorkshire and Humberside region - placing the council in the top quartile compared to other authorities in England.”
(xv) To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member update Council on the situation regarding the Waste PFI project?”
Reply:
“Following DEFRA’s decision to withdraw the Waste PFI credits for the North Yorkshire and York proposal without any consultation, action is continuing on a number of fronts.
Further information has been requested on the technical assessment undertaken to support the decision made by DEFRA. This is still awaited. A meeting to lobby Ministers is scheduled to take place in April, with the Leader of the Council due to attend.
The withdrawal of the PFI credits in itself does not directly impact on the level of capital funding that is required to finance the Allerton Park Facility. It does however impact on the revenue support from the government to both local authorities. It is Amey Cespa’s (AC) responsibility to pull together the required funding package. They are continuing to move towards financial close.
Both local authorities and AC are in discussions with the Treasury on funding options to mitigate the loss of the Waste PFI credits in order to work towards providing an affordable solution to the authorities. The European Investment Bank are still supporting the project up to 50% of the overall funding requirement.
Further information is likely to come forward over the next couple of months as to whether the scheme is still a viable option for the Councils to pursue. We are not yet in a position to determine this. In line with the agreement, any decision on financial close and final affordability would need to be considered by Cabinet.
In the short term, we are able to continue to landfill at Harewood Whin, but as a fall back position we are having informal discussions with other Local Authorities and merchant facility providers as to what other options the council may have in dealing with their waste on a /medium term basis.”
(xvi) To the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline the new schedule for grass verge cutting after the cuts to ‘Smarter York’ in this year’s Budget?”
Reply:
“Officers are currently examining the options and I will be receiving a report on this and how we increase community involvement in maintaining public green spaces at a Decision Session in late April. This is necessary to deal with the massive cuts being made to the Council’s budget by Liberal Democrats in Government.”
(xvii) To the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from Cllr Reid:
“Could the Cabinet Member detail the spending on public art in West Offices, where each installation is from, and where they can be viewed by the public?”
Reply:
“Under the agreed contract the developer of West Offices provided £220k for public art for the new Headquarters. This administration has made sure that the art commissioning has been used to support local creative talent from York and Yorkshire. Jo Fairfax from Halifax has been the lead artist and mentored all the other local artists, most of whom have received their first major commission from this project. All the art, once installed will be in publicly accessible places. Outside the building Matt Lazenby has installed a beautiful quote from Auden into the central seating area and Jo Fairfax has designed a lighting wash for the central facade. Jo has also produced the digital interactive installation in the entrance area called the station master. Once inside the Customer care centre you will be able to see Rachel Welford striking Glass partition showing overlain maps of the city, a theme which is picked up again on the matriculation discs on the entrance doors. Overhead in the central void Suzanne Davis has produced a delightful 3D rainbow of copper threads. We are still working on getting the lighting of this work adjusted correctly so its shimmering interference effect is shown to its full extent. In addition Bright White will be producing an interpretive work where the full effect of the artworks can be appreciated for those with visual disabilities. We have also commissioned John Newling, emeritus professor of Public Art at Nottingham University to work with Students at our universities on a “market place” of creative ideas. This market will be taking place in Early May once the building is fully open.”
(xviii)To the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from Cllr Cuthbertson:
“How many queries has the Council received about the Housing Benefit changes due to come into effect next month and how many outstanding queries have the Council yet to deal with?”
Reply:
· “Proactive work - we have been proactive in raising awareness for 6500 customers on what the welfare reform changes could mean for them, part of which was sending out letters to our customers on 17 January advising on both the LCTS and Social Size Criteria (“bedroom tax”) changes. This is in addition to information available on our website, proactive communications activity by Housing and partners such as CAB through their publications.
· Telephone activity - whilst we do not collate data specifically on types of individual benefits queries, we can report on volumes through our general enquiry phone line from 21st January to end of yesterday (not including 4th to 18th March as due to technical issues we cannot retrieve this data). Enquiries is a separate option on our phone paths for customers as they can also choose “new claims” or “report change in circumstances”
o 21st Jan to 27th March 1674 calls on enquiries line/path were handled by the benefits phone team. All of these were dealt with at the time of contact
· Face to face enquiries – the technology to measure customer numbers by type of enquiry has come into use this week, and from Monday 25th to Wednesday 27th March – 165 enquiries and 1 complaint.
In terms of outstanding queries yet to be dealt with:
All face to face and telephone enquiries are resolved at first point of contact, unless classed as complaints
We have collated data on complaints received on each of the welfare reform changes and source of complaints – these are shown below:
|
Complaints Spreadsheet |
LCTS |
SSSC |
HB |
CTB |
YFAS |
Combination |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Complaint from M.P. |
4 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
12 |
|
Complaint from Councillor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Complaint from Organisation. |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Complaint from Customer. |
8 |
5 |
1 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Freedom of Information Request. |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
29 |
(xix) To the Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities from Cllr Orrell:
“Could the Cabinet Member outline how much ward committees will receive in funding next year?”
|
Reply: “Acomb WC Work |
3,200 |
|
|
Bthorpe & Wheldrake WC Work |
3,190 |
|
|
Clifton WC Work |
4,980 |
|
|
DerwentHeworth WC Work |
4,340 |
|
|
Dringhouses & Wthorpe WC Work |
4,450 |
|
|
Fishergate WC Work |
3,280 |
|
|
Fulford & Heslington WC Work |
2,780 |
|
|
Guildhall WC Work |
2,760 |
|
|
Haxby & Wigginton WC Work |
5,160 |
|
|
Heworth WC Work |
4,860 |
|
|
Holgate WC Work |
4,790 |
|
|
Huntngton & New Earswick WC Work |
5,010 |
|
|
Micklegate WC Work |
4,550 |
|
|
Rural West York WC Work |
4,260 |
|
|
SktonRcliffe Clton WC Work |
5,040 |
|
|
Strensall WC Work |
3,260 |
|
|
Hull Road WC Work |
3,420 |
|
|
Westfield WC Work |
5,670” |
(xx) To the Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities from Cllr Firth:
“The funding for Your Consortium is due to end this month. Could the Cabinet Member outline what plans are in place for voluntary sector grant funding after this?”
Reply:
“The launch of the next round of Community York will take place Tuesday 23rd April 2013, at Clements Hall, York from 11am - 2pm. The event provides the opportunity to celebrate the projects funded through the last round as well as inviting bids for the next year against the themes of the four council objectives of healthy, engaged, inclusive and prosperous communities.”
(xxi) To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism from Cllr Runciman:
“Suffolk County Council’s policy of cutting library funding and then outsourcing the service to an Industrial Provident Society has resulted in widespread public opposition, staff reporting the service was at “breaking point”, and last month Stowmarket Library launching a fundraising drive in a bid to stay open. What lessons does the Cabinet Member draw for York from this?”
Reply:
“I’m surprised that Cllr Runciman had not done her homework as she could have easily found out that Suffolk have gone down a completely different route to York.
In their unusual and complicated model every single library has been set up as a separate legal entity and the community benefit society at the centre of the network has for its members only the libraries themselves. This model may or may not suit Suffolk – I cannot say - it is a matter for them.
What I can say is that it bears no relation to the approach we are taking in York and so no lessons can possibly be drawn from it. Central to our approach is the fact that it is being led by our staff who will be the founder members of the community benefit society and will drive it forward with all the energy and skills that they have demonstrated in abundance over the last couple of years. Also, very importantly, library users will be members of our community benefit society. Our initiative is about bringing the service closer to communities involving them in governance and enabling them to shape it to better meet the needs of our communities. Membership of our organisation will be open to everyone – it will be jointly owned by staff and the community but professionally managed.”
(xxii) To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism from Cllr Runciman:
“How much is the Council paying Mutual Ventures for its work on the changes to the library and archive service?”
Reply:
“Nothing – The Cabinet Office’s Mutual Support Programme were so taken with our innovative ideas to enhance and protect our libraries and increase community engagement that they are providing the necessary funding.
Despite the threats caused by the Conservative/ Liberal Democrats cuts to local Government funding, this administration is determined to do its best to protect those vital community services provided by our Library Service and so we are very pleased that we have been able to access support in this way."