The first phase of the public consultation has culminated in the Cabinet decision to reduce the reorganisation plan to three options (from five), detailed below. All allow for a continued library service available on the current site in Shirley.
Option one would mean all libraries remain in council control and be open two fewer days per week, except the central library that would open five days per week. Under option two the council would work in partnership with an organisation to run all 13 libraries, which could include a charity or social enterprise.
Option three would keep eight libraries in council control and open two fewer days a week. The other five would be leased to community groups, with the council providing some staff two days a week, as well as books and IT support.
There were concerns about the costs of repair costs on the Shirley Library building, but the council has identified funding to meet these. This money will be found from the ring-fenced Community Infrastructure Levy which councils can charge to limit the impact of new developments and will additionally give more users out-of-hours access through Open + swipe cards.
Cabinet dropped three other options because they would not have met the savings needed – one that involved closing the five libraries; and two others to lease five libraries to community groups, with either full or reduced hours at the other eight.
Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture and regeneration commented : “We have listened to and acted on residents’ feedback by changing our proposals so that all 13 of our libraries will stay open in a way that would still allow us to make much-needed savings.
“I want to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation so far, and I would encourage everyone who cares about their libraries to have their say again when we go live with detailed proposals at the beginning of June.”
The 2nd stage of consultation is now open. Click on this link Croydon Get Involved to see the survey and other related information.
