Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the following item requested for discussion from the Forward Plan, attached.

·  The Future of the Southampton Library Service

·  Developing Proposals for Devolved Powers and Responsibilities

·  Consultation on proposed changes to the General Fund

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the items requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan.

A.  THE FUTURE OF THE SOUTHAMPTON LIBRARY SERVICE

Denise Wyatt (Millbrook Library), Dr Wendy Leeks, Siobhan Watson (Burgess Road Library Buddies), Tim Forcer, Anneliese Walker, Lindsi Bluemel, Ann MacGillivray, William Stacey (Cobbett Road Library) and Councillor Pope were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED that:

(i)  Cabinet defer the 18 August decision to Full Council on 16 September;

(ii)  the Cabinet Member give a commitment that no libraries would close until an alternative provider is in place;

(iii)the Cabinet Member clarifies the Executive’s position with regards to the disposal of the buildings should the libraries close;

(iv)the Cabinet Member explore opportunities to recharge appropriate costs to the Housing Revenue Account;

(v)  the Cabinet Member look again at options relating to sharing library services with other local authorities;

(vi)the Cabinet Member explore funding opportunities to supplement library funding from other sources such as pupil premium and health service; and

(vii)  an update be provided to the Committee at a future meeting with examples of best practice relating to community led libraries.

NOTE: Councillors Tucker and Jordan declared a personal interest in the matter set out in the report.  Councillor Tucker was a board member of the Arts Council South West and Councillor Jordan was a board member of Plus You Limited.  Thornhill Library was occupied under a licence with Plus You Limited.

B.  DEVELOPING PROPOSALS FOR DEVOLVED POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Councillor Pope was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee expressed support for outline proposals relating to the pensioner bus pass scheme, discussed at the meeting, where potentially a nominal charge might be introduced to enhance the sustainability of services.

C.  CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE GENERAL FUND

Councillor Pope was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Committee expressed concern regarding the forecast overspend for 2015/16 and sought an explanation as to why this had occurred.

RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer circulate a monthly financial monitoring report to the OSMC to enable the Committee to effectively scrutinise the Council’s budget.