Appendix 2
North Ayrshire Council: Sport, Leisure and Recreation Working Groups
Review of Halls, Centres and Libraries
Composition and Remit of Working Group
Introduction
Following the rejection of the recommendations of the Grant Thornton report by the
Council a member/officer working group is to consider the future of libraries, halls and
centres.
Role of Working Group
The group will develop recommendations for the future of these facilities and the
service provided by them within the Council.
Working Group Membership
The group should be small enough to be able to operate effectively but large enough to
cover a range of interest and expertise. In general, the group should not be seen as
'representative', but rather a gathering of appropriate expertise.
Three models are proposed for elected member representation on the working group:
Model 1
Portfolio holder for Community Services and proportionate representation from
main political groupings
- 2 Labour
- 2 Scottish National Party
- 1 from each of the other groups, Liberal Democrats, Conservative and 2
Independent groups, 4 in all;
a total of 8 elected members.
Model 2
Portfolio holder for Community Services and one representative from each other
group, Scottish National Party, Liberal, Conservative and 2 Independent groups;
a total of 6 elected members.
Model 3
Portfolio holder for Community Services and one representative from each area
committee;
a total of 6 elected members.
In addition the working group will be supported by the following:
Senior officers from Education and Skills
Finance officer (as required)
HR officer (as required)
Asset Manager or representative (as required)
Legal officer (as required)
Administrative support officer
Community representatives as required
External experts on request as required.
Working Group Remit
One of the first tasks of the working group will be to refine, and if necessary, seek
clarification on the group's remit.
The working group‟s remit should include:
establishing internal service drivers for proposals/recommendations, including a
review of levels of service and refocusing provision to achieve efficiencies within
current services.
establishing community drivers for proposals/recommendations
consideration of the future of the library service and how an economically
sustainable model could maximise public access for the library service in its work
consideration of the future of halls and centres and how economically sustainable
models could maximise public access
consideration of the levels of provision and facilities, including joint use, across the
council area
consideration of models of community asset transfer or use of community facilities
establishing and agreeing financial parameters for proposals/recommendations
consideration of the level of support, financial and otherwise, to be made available
to any partner local groups.
Outputs
Proposals for the future delivery of library services across North Ayrshire
Proposals for the provision of community facilities across North Ayrshire
Wherever possible recommendations, options and policies should be costed.
Present a realistic timescales for implementation of recommendations, options
and policies.
Supporting Information
The following should be considered within the remit of the working group:
Libraries
(1) the statutory requirement for local authorities to provide a comprehensive library service
for those who live, work or are undertaking full time education in the authority;
(2) the BV2 report which judges that the Library Service provides a high performing, value for
money service
(3) the recommendations following the Wirral Inquiry and the need to take account of those
recommendations (concerning consultation) in considering changes to the existing library
provision;
(4) the need to take account of the recommendations contained in the recently published
Government document “The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries: a Policy
Statement” when considering future proposals for the Library Service ;
(5) the current view that joint developments with other agencies represent a significant
opportunity to improve existing library provision and establish libraries as “hubs” of the
community;
(7) the current view that opportunities for joint working or the development of joint facilities
with partners also represent significant opportunities for efficiences and service
development
Halls and Centres
The following should be considered within the remit of the working group:
(1) The Scottish Government‟s Community Empowerment Action Plan
(2) “Public Asset Transfer Empowering Communities”
(3) “Achieving Community Empowerment” (ACE) capacity building programme in Scotland;
(4) „Stronger Communities', a collaborative initiative between Forward Scotland, the Scottish
Community Foundation, and the Scottish Community Development Centre.
(5) Our Community Our Future,” delivered by the Scottish Community Foundation, designed
to provide support to a small number of new and emerging groups to develop their
capacity to influence change within their community.