Agenda item

The Director of Culture and Neighbourhood Services submits a report detailing the transfer of the printed music and drama service to a regional service.

The Commission is recommended:

a)    to note the actions taken since January 2015, to develop options for a sustainable music and drama service in the region

b)    to note the findings of the consultation exercise which took place between July and August 2015

c)     to comment on the decision to transfer the Leicester Libraries’ printed music and drama service to a regional service developed and run by Nottingham City.

The Director of Culture and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the Transfer of Libraries’ Printed Music and Drama Service.  The report updated the Commission on details of the decision to transfer the printed music and drama service to a regional service developed and run by Nottingham City.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that the City Council had helped to shape a proposal for a regional offer, which would be based in Nottingham but with access at different points.  The Council had worked with Making Music, local groups and Nottingham City Council, to arrive at these proposals. There were a number of advantages with the proposal, which included improved I.T. and a transport service to bring materials from Nottingham to Leicester. Organisations would pay more to access the service but the new system would offer stability, a more modern service and something that would last. 

Barbara Eifler, the Executive Director of Making Music addressed the meeting and explained that the organisation was the umbrella group for amateur groups in the UK. Many had commented on the excellency of the past service and people were aware of the pressures that faced the council. They were also aware that the service provided was not a statutory requirement.  Their view was that the solution offered was very good and they were grateful to officers involved for their hard work in finding a solution.   Some of the groups such as those in Newtown Linford and Lutterworth had expressed concerns that it would cost more to access the service.  However, groups were pleased with the arrangement for materials to be delivered to Fosse Library.

A Member asked why Nottingham City Council was chosen to run the music and drama service and the Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that it was due to service priorities. Nottingham had a strong focus on the arts and this was a direction that they still wanted to go.

Officers were asked whether they had consulted on using Fosse Library as the collection point for materials. The Head of Services explained that they had originally considered a city centre venue but Fosse was convenient for parking. As part of the consultation, a question had been asked about access.

A Member questioned whether support was available for the visually impaired. The meeting was advised that an assumption had been made that people with a visual impairment already have use of standard accessibility software to access the service. In the consultation an open ended question had been asked, but there were no responses relating to a disability such as this. As part of the consultation responses, the Council had been asked to offer training on the new online system, and this had been agreed.

The Chair concluded the discussion and stated that while it was unfortunate that there would have to be a shared service going forward, it was important that the service continued. Budgetary constraints meant that changes needed to be made. The Chair added that it was important to acknowledge the work of the officers and Ms Eifler in this process.

RESOLVED:

that the Commission support the decision to transfer the Leicester Libraries’ printed music and drama service to a regional service developed and run by Nottingham City.