County Councillor Roger Hirst has kindly agreed to attend this committee meeting to discuss the relocation of libraries within the district.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed to the Committee, Councillor K Twitchen, a Deputy Portfolio Holder for Customer Services, Libraries, Planning and the Environment and Ms S Looney, Essex County Council Customer Services Director, to speak on the subject of library services. An invitation had been extended to the County Portfolio Holder for Customer Services Libraries, Planning and the Environment, Councillor R Hirst to speak on this subject but it was advised that he had been seriously injured in a riding accident and was unable to attend, therefore Councillor K Twitchen had kindly agreed to attend in his place.
County Councillor K Twitchen stated that there were no proposals to close any public libraries in Essex, although there would be changes made to the service. Initiatives in library use was needed, they were not just repository for books, they should be a greater resource to the population.
Epping Forest District had 8 public libraries with 21,000 members and 400,000 attendances. County Councillor K Twitchen went on to outline the situation concerning each of the 8 libraries.
(a) Buckhurst Hill Library – the Parish Council office was located in the library, with a vacant space at the back of the property for commercial letting or community use. A Police Community Support Officer was based at the library as a point of access to the public. The representative for Buckhurst Hill Parish Council advised that they had two meetings and favoured a community use for the space.
(b) Chigwell Library – The Committee was advised that Chigwell Parish Council was happy to co-locate with the library and discussions were taking place.
(c) Debden Library – This library was the smallest in the district in terms of membership, it was located at Epping College. A suggestion had been made that the library could be re-located near to the road side of the college where it would be more visible to pedestrians, however, the new venue would be smaller. It was noted that a post office in Debden, near a bus terminus, was being vacated the District Council was the freeholder and the building could be converted to a library.
(d) Epping Library – This library had 2,600 members and shared a space with a Registrar and a children’s centre. Local members advised they were happy with its current location.
(e) North Weald Library – The Parish Council was located at the library, there were no firm plans for expansion. Currently children’s groups were using the library. However new signage was needed as a sign had been stolen.
(f) Chipping Ongar Library – this was a purpose built library, there was not enough room for any other residence.
(g) Waltham Abbey Library – A children’s centre shared their space.
(h) Loughton Library – The National Jazz Archive was currently held there, a community orchard was being created plus a trade school and creative sewing classes were in operation there. It was suggested that the Citizens Advice Bureau could be located here.
Members were pleased with the mobile libraries but they were prone to breaking down and residents in villages were sometimes cut off from this service. The Customer Services Director advised that the County possessed 10 mobile libraries of which 2 were brand new of which the librarians had received a National Award.
RESOLVED:
That the presentation regarding library services within Epping District be noted.