“WE WILL WORK WITH OUR LABOUR CHUMS” – EDBROOKE
The following question and answer is on tomorrow night’s agenda in which Cllr Edbrooke says they will work with the Carnegie Community Trust – but not, it appears, the Friends of Carnegie library:
Question by Cllr Michelle Agdomar (Lab Herne Hill) to: Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods – Councillor Jane Edbrooke
Carnegie Library Space and Support
Last month the Council announced its plans for the future of Carnegie Library in my ward. Can I ask the Cabinet Member to expand on the approach the Council will take to ensure the maximum amount of space is allocated to the new library service and the support that will be provided by central library staff?
Answer:
The Culture 2020 report agreed by Cabinet on 12th October 2015 provides the framework, which will now enable a detailed plan to be worked up that will cover design, layout and activities to be delivered from the Carnegie library building.
This plan will need to secure new income streams, which will replace council funding from 1 April 2016. The listed building restrictions mean that any proposal will need to be developed sensitively in order not to undermine the integrity of the building.
As agreed at cabinet, officers and I will work with the Carnegie Community Trust to develop a workable proposal.
The Culture 2020 report and revised Lambeth library standards sets the scope for the library services residents can expect when visiting the Carnegie library.
The report also makes it clear that the library service will continue to be provided by the council’s library staff. £200,000 of funding has been earmarked in the budget from 1st April 2016 to support activities across the borough. £100,000 for the Council’s library staff to curate actives across the five neighbourhood libraries in the borough and £100,000 of small grants to support local charities promote and advance the love of reading.
The motion and reply can be found on pages 12/13 of the agenda.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lambeth’s own minutes of the cabinet meeting state:
The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Jim Dickson (Lab, Herne Hill), further requested that assurances around Carnegie libraries be added as an amendment to the report:
· That GLL will be instructed to work in partnership with local people to develop a community hub and library;
· That the final decision of mix of uses of the building will be taken in full consultation;
· That Council will consider introducing an earlier break clause than the current seven years;
· That closure of building for improvements or changes will be kept to a minimum.
