Referral from Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee, 28 September 2023 - Call-In of Cabinet Decision – Mobile Library Service (Minute *359 of 12 July 2023)
In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Chair of the Corporate, Infrastructure and regulatory Services Committee (Councillor Dewhirst) invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decision of the Cabinet (Minute *359 of the 12 July 2023) in relation to the Mobile Library Service in Devon.
The call-in and the associated grounds were considered at the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 28 September 2023.
The Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 28 September 2023 (Minute 124 refers) subsequently RESOLVED ‘that the Committee recommends that Cabinet:
(a) Reconsiders the decision to decommission the mobile library vehicles and looks again at continuing to provide the mobile library service.
(b) Gets precise figures on leasing vehicles to review opportunities to continue to provide a cost effective service.
(c) Looks into opportunities to reduce cost of delivery including commercial sponsorship opportunities on vehicles, crowdfunding and or support from Parish Councils and community groups.
(d) Develops alternative library provision before taking the decision to remove services.
And reports findings back to this Committee.
The recommendation of the Cabinet will follow.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED that the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for its consideration of this matter and its recommendation and given the short timescale between the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee and this Cabinet, and the matters raised, Cabinet will consider the issues in more detail and determine the matter at its next meeting.
Minutes:
(Councillors Biederman, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item welcoming the deferral of the matter, pending a more detailed consideration).
In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Chair of the Corporate, Infrastructure and regulatory Services Committee (Councillor Dewhirst) invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decision of the Cabinet (Minute *359 of the 12 July 2023) in relation to the Mobile Library Service in Devon.
The call-in and the associated grounds were considered at the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 28 September 2023 ((Minute 124 referred). The Committee subsequently RESOLVED ‘that the Committee recommends that Cabinet:
(a) Reconsiders the decision to decommission the mobile library vehicles and looks again at continuing to provide the mobile library service.
(b) Gets precise figures on leasing vehicles to review opportunities to continue to provide a cost effective service.
(c) Looks into opportunities to reduce cost of delivery including commercial sponsorship opportunities on vehicles, crowdfunding and or support from Parish Councils and community groups.
(d) Develops alternative library provision before taking the decision to remove services.
And reports findings back to this Committee.
It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes and
RESOLVED that the Corporate, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for its consideration of this matter and its recommendation and given the short timescale between the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee and this Cabinet, and the matters raised, Cabinet will consider the issues in more detail and determine the matter at its next meeting.