Decision details

Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres

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Decision Maker: Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries, and Community Centres

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Decision to be taken on recommendations for the future delivery of library and services following consultation in spring 2025.

Decision:

Please Note: This decision was Called-In under Rule 12 of Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution. The Call-In was considered by the Council at its meeting on 26 March 2026 where it was supported. The original decision taken on 11 March 2026 is, therefore, deemed to be revived in its entirety in accordance with Rule 12 (h) of Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution.

1. To note the activity that has taken place to date

2. To agree the model as presented in the report to move into implementation as stated in the recommendations 4.13 to 4.36.

3. To recognise that this level of library provision is considered to fulfil the City Council’s statutory obligations.

4. To note the extent to which the proposals will support the delivery of the Council’s savings requirements as set out in the revenue budget for 2025/26.

5. To approve the release of the £1m Library Investment policy provision to be added to the capital programme as an immediate start for building alterations and improvements, and to note the availability of a further £1m within the current capital programme to support this work.

Reasons for the decision:

The reason for the decision is to transform library and community services to ensure communities have the right type of service offering for the future, based on robust evidence gathering and delivered within the constraints of a significantly reduced divisional budget.

Alternative options:

Options considered can be found in sections 4.38 to 4.43 of the Executive Decision Report.

Publication date: 03/03/2026

Date of decision: 11/03/2026

Effective from: 19/03/2026

This decision has been called in by:

Councillor Patrick Kitterick who writes We the undersigned wish to "Call-in" the Executive Decision for the Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres. We have concerns about the recommendations in the report including the following The loss of the St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres. The possible loss of the Gilmorton Community Rooms The reduction in hours for Evington and Knighton Libraries. The proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre The very steep increase in charges and income targets that could affect the affordability of using our centres. The reduction on the Book Fund. The council has the resources to avoid these cuts and should use it's reserves to do so and we, therefore, ask the Executive to reconsider their decision"
Councillor Nigel Porter who writes We the undersigned wish to "Call-in" the Executive Decision for the Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres. We have concerns about the recommendations in the report including the following The loss of the St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres. The possible loss of the Gilmorton Community Rooms The reduction in hours for Evington and Knighton Libraries. The proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre The very steep increase in charges and income targets that could affect the affordability of using our centres. The reduction on the Book Fund. The council has the resources to avoid these cuts and should use it's reserves to do so and we, therefore, ask the Executive to reconsider their decisio"
Councillor Liz Sahu who writes We the undersigned wish to "Call-in" the Executive Decision for the Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres. We have concerns about the recommendations in the report including the following The loss of the St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres. The possible loss of the Gilmorton Community Rooms The reduction in hours for Evington and Knighton Libraries. The proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre The very steep increase in charges and income targets that could affect the affordability of using our centres. The reduction on the Book Fund. The council has the resources to avoid these cuts and should use it's reserves to do so and we, therefore, ask the Executive to reconsider their decisio"
Councillor Hemant Rae Bhatia who writes We the undersigned wish to "Call-in" the Executive Decision for the Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres. We have concerns about the recommendations in the report including the following The loss of the St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres. The possible loss of the Gilmorton Community Rooms The reduction in hours for Evington and Knighton Libraries. The proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre The very steep increase in charges and income targets that could affect the affordability of using our centres. The reduction on the Book Fund. The council has the resources to avoid these cuts and should use it's reserves to do so and we, therefore, ask the Executive to reconsider their decision"
Councillor Aasiya Bora who writes We the undersigned wish to "Call-in" the Executive Decision for the Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres. We have concerns about the recommendations in the report including the following The loss of the St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres. The possible loss of the Gilmorton Community Rooms The reduction in hours for Evington and Knighton Libraries. The proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre The very steep increase in charges and income targets that could affect the affordability of using our centres. The reduction on the Book Fund. The council has the resources to avoid these cuts and should use it's reserves to do so and we, therefore, ask the Executive to reconsider their decision"

Accompanying Documents: