Agenda item

Bharti Mistry asks:

 

1. We propose that the Council establish User Community Groups at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rushey Mead Recreation Centre, and the two libraries. These partnerships would help identify income-generation opportunities for each centre and assess the evolving needs of the local communities and how best to meet them.
2. We ask that the Council does not revisit the CAT (Community Asset Transfer) issue regarding Rushey Mead and Belgrave community centres and libraries. Instead, we urge the Council to commit to working in partnership with users, residents, and the wider communities of Rushey Mead and Belgrave.
3. Does the Council have its own proposals to improve the financial sustainability of sites that remain Council-run, including any potential impact on staffing? For example, measures to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase usage of the centres and libraries?
4. Aside from the CAT policy, has the Council considered any other models for operating neighbourhood services (community centres and libraries) across the city?
5. Will the Council commit to reviewing the current arrangements and future direction for Belgrave and Rushey Mead? We seek assurance of strong frontline service delivery, improved outreach, and increased activity—particularly for diverse communities where English is not the first language, as well as for elderly residents, young people, disabled users, and those experiencing loneliness and isolation.
6. Can we clarify what plans are in place for development at Rushey Mead library, including potential use of the capital budget?

 

Mala Shah asks:

1.    How much capital does LCC have (please provide breakdown of how much allocated and how much is in reserve)?

2.    Please would the council & the Assistant City Mayor for Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres accept a thank you for the decision relating to neighbourhood services particularly for those in Rushey Mead & Belgrave;

 

With the new changes now being proposed, how much saving is the council looking to make at

A.       Rushey Mead library

B.       Rushey Mead recreation centre

C.       Belgrave library

D.       Belgrave neighbourhood centre

3.If the council is looking to make savings at Rushey Mead recreation centre, Rushey Mead library, Belgrave library and Belgrave neighbourhood centre, please do provide a breakdown of where the currents savings are coming from?

 

Nizamuddin Patel asks:

 

1. Following the consultation, it is noted that in Netherhall either the neighbourhood centre or the Armadale centre (pending survey) will be considered for CAT.

 

Is there a reason why both buildings can't be considered for CAT?

 

2. Can a timeframe be given as to how soon a condition survey can be completed and published of the Armadale Centre?

 

 

The Chair advised the Commission that questions would not normally be taken from the public at special meetings of the Commission, however, questions had been accepted on this occasion as they were relevant to the agenda being considered.

 

Members of the public then asked questions and responses were provided as follows:

 

Tony Patel thanked Councillor Dempster for her work across the wards and asked:

 

We propose that the Council establish User Community Groups at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rushey Mead Recreation Centre, and the two libraries. These partnerships would help identify income?generation opportunities for each centre and assess the evolving needs of the local communities and how best to meet them.

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• This partnership model fitted well with the proposals.

 

Hasu Saujani asked:

 

We ask that the Council does not revisit the CAT (Community Asset Transfer) issue regarding Rushey Mead and Belgrave community centres and libraries in the near future. Instead, we urge the Council to commit to working in partnership with users, residents, and the wider communities of Rushey Mead and Belgrave.

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• There had been a long and in-depth consultation process.
• Decisions had been made to ensure sustainability.
• Decision making had been informed by the consultation, data and sustainability of buildings.

 

Hasu Saujani asked:

 

Does the Council have its own proposals to improve the financial sustainability of sites that remain Council?run, not including any potential impact on staffing? For example, measures to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase usage of the centres and libraries? If so, please could this be outlined?

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• This marked the beginning of the process.
• Partnership was required with the ‘Friends of’ groups to move forwards.

 

Hasu Saujani asked on behalf of Bharti Mistry:

 

Aside from the CAT policy, has the Council considered any other models for operating neighbourhood services (community centres and libraries) across the city? And if so, what were they?

 

The Head of Neighbourhood Services responded as follows:

 

• Alternative options considered were outlined in the Assessment and Recommendations report.
• The alternative options considered included shared services – for example library stock buying, the creation of a charitable body to run services, and withdrawal of council services from more facilities.  However, each of these options had been discounted.
• The initial engagement showed that people wanted geographical spread even if this meant reduced staffed opening hours to retain more facilities.

 

Tony Patel asked on behalf of Bharti Mistry:

 

Will the Council commit to reviewing the current arrangements and future direction for Belgrave and Rushey Mead? We seek assurance of strong frontline service delivery, improved outreach, and increased activity — particularly for diverse communities where English is not the first language, as well as for elderly residents, young people, disabled users, and those experiencing loneliness and isolation.

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• The extensive consultation had resulted into the series of proposals.
• Annual reviews would be in place to review data.
• The emphasis was on working with the communities.

 

Tony Patel asked on behalf of Bharti Mistry:

 

Can we clarify what plans are in place for development at Rushey Mead library, including potential use of the capital budget?

 

The Head of Neighbourhood Services responded as follows:

 

• At this time there are no plans in place for the capital development of the library.
• Rushey Mead Library had received recent capital investment in 2019 which had addressed maintenance issues.

 

Tony Patel asked on behalf of Mala Shah:

 

How much capital does LCC have (please provide breakdown of how much allocated and how much is in reserve)?

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• No figure has as yet been agreed for the delivery of the recommendations for libraries and community centres.

 

Tony Patel asked on behalf of Mala Shah:

 

Please would the council & the Assistant City Mayor for Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres accept a thank you for the decision relating to neighbourhood services particularly for those in Rushey Mead & Belgrave;

With the new changes now being proposed, how much saving is the council looking to make at:

 

A.       Rushey Mead library

B.       Rushey Mead recreation centre

C.       Belgrave library

D.       Belgrave neighbourhood centre

 

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• The recommendations would deliver an overall saving of £1.57 million for Neighbourhood Services as a whole.  Budgets are set for the service as a whole.

 

Tony Patel asked on behalf of Mala Shah:

 

If the council is looking to make savings at Rushey Mead Recreation Centre, Rushey Mead Library, Belgrave Library and Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, please do provide a breakdown of where the current savings are coming from?

 

The Assistant City Mayor - Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres responded as follows:

 

• The recommendations state that savings for Rushey Mead Recreation Centre and Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre would be achieved through a 100% increase in income targets at these sites. Savings for retained libraries would be achieved through reduced staffing budgets as a result of reduced staffed opening hours.

 

The Chair advised that questions had been raised by Nizamuddin Patel who was

not present at the meeting. The questions were as follows:

 

Following the consultation, it is noted that in Netherhall either the Neighbourhood Centre or the Armadale Centre (pending a condition survey) will be considered for CAT.

 

 Is there a reason why both buildings can't be considered for CAT?

 

Officers would respond with the following by email as follows:

 

• During the consultation members of the community proposed the Armadale Centre is the preferred building for community activities as it of more robust construction.  Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre is of less solid construction and is more exposed to vandalism, having been subject to vandalism and extensive damage in past years.  The land on which the Armadale Centre is located is currently planned for affordable housing.  There is a requirement for housing in the area and therefore should the Armadale Centre by retained for community use, then the Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre plot would be required for housing.

 

Nizamuddin Patel:

 

Can a timeframe be given as to how soon a condition survey can be completed and published of the Armadale Centre?

 

Officers would respond with the following by email as follows:

 

• A condition survey of the Armadale Centre has been commissioned as a priority.  It is anticipated the survey should be available within a matter of weeks.