Agenda item

The public open forum will commence at 2.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 2.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier.

Question 1 – from Mr A. Baxter, to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Mrs Linda Neal:

“You are no doubt aware that Lincolnshire County Council is consulting on changes to library services across the County. I realise the town of Bourne is less directly affected by the changes because of the new library facility and community point opened in partnership with South Kesteven District Council back in March. However, I am sure you share the concerns of many South Kesteven residents about the proposed cuts to services. The Deepings would get a particularly rough deal from the proposals because we would become one of the largest areas of population in Lincolnshire without a properly staffed library. This will mean that for anyone in the Deepings without access to a car, a visit to the library will take half a day, and children, including my own, will effectively be excluded from accessing libraries completely.

“In light of this, will the South Kesteven District Council be joining other District Councils around Lincolnshire in responding to the consultation? And if so, will South Kesteven District Council be supporting the calls from thousands of residents in the south of the District that the Deepings Library should retain a tier 2 library with adequate resources and properly paid staff?”

Reply from Councillor Mrs Neal

“Thank you very much Mr Chairman. I’d like to thank Mr Baxter for his question and yes, certainly I am aware that the County Council is consulting on its proposed changes to the library service and I know that many people are concerned about what is suggested. I am sure that everyone is aware that this is not a district council service however I am also aware that this service is valued by many local people and I am sure the county council will want to listen to feedback before making a final decision. I understand the period of public consultation closes at the end of September and it is important that as many people as possible provide their views and ideas by completing the online questionnaire on the County Council’s website. The County will, I am sure, listen carefully to the views of the residents whilst at the same time weighing the very difficult financial position that they find themselves in and no doubt explore every avenue regarding possible future service delivery.”

Supplementary question from Mr Baxter

“In one of Margaret Thatcher’s autobiographies, she says that the civil servants came to her and asked to take away children’s milk to charge for museums, and to charge for libraries. She said that she knew from her time as a school girl in Grantham, the importance of libraries and for children to have access to libraries. I would first of all repeat the question: is SKDC going to respond to the consultation as a corporate body, but also is Margaret Thatcher’s words, that children should have access to publicly funded libraries, is it right or wrong?”

Reply from Councillor Mrs Neal

“Thank you very much Mr Chairman. On the first part because there were really two questions there I do believe, I’m not sure whether you’re going to accept two questions or not. The first question was will we be formally responding to the consultation the second question was did I believe children should have access to a library…I firmly believe therefore, Mr. Chairman that children and not only children but members of the community should have access to full library services and I don’t mind saying so but I personally have already responded to the consultation online”

On whether the Council would be submitting a response as a corporate body the Leader replied: “It’s not within my Portfolio and I haven’t had a conversation with the Portfolio Holder about it, so I don’t know.”

Several Councillors spoke in support of the Deepings Library campaign and suggested that the Council should respond to the consultation. The Chief Executive advised Members that this forum was only to answer any questions from members of the public and that the Council had its own processes through which any consultation responses could be produced.

Mr Baxter was thanked for his time.

The public open forum ended at 14:11.