FCT SAVINGS PROPOSALS APPROVED
Executive Committee makes decision on future of Fife’s library service
Fife Cultural Trust’s financial strategy proposal was up for discussion today with the Fife Council Executive Committee at Fife House. The Committee has agreed to progress with changes to Fife’s library services, with a number of additional recommendations to the Trust’s original proposal.
Fife Council have committed to the relocation of public access PCs in the local areas and to provide assistance with the relocation of other non-library specific activities (such as job clubs) that currently take place in the libraries due for closure.
Commitment was also made to work with local communities to explore proposals for alternative delivery models and to provide appropriate support to develop these. Communities that have not yet done so are also invited to express an interest in exploring alternative delivery models.
The motion also noted particular concerns about the impact of library closures in Abbeyview and Glenwood and agreed to explore the possibility of providing public access to enhanced library facilities in the local secondary schools in these areas. A comprehensive regeneration plan for the Glenwood area will also be developed in partnership with the local community.
Fife Council set a savings target of £1.7m to be delivered by Fife Cultural Trust by 2017/18. The Trust has already delivered £906,000 of savings with no impact on service delivery. While delivery of the remaining savings will bring noticeable changes, the proposals will see the library service retain 65% of the Trust’s management fee, exactly the same percentage as it currently receives.
Stuart Cross, Chair of Fife Cultural Trust said:
“We absolutely understand the impact of our proposal on communities, but we believe it is better to take the opportunity to make radical changes to libraries now rather than face potential cuts and increased uncertainty on a regular basis in the years to come. We did not develop our proposal lightly, but we are looking beyond the savings to a long-term sustainability. Changes would have had to come eventually, with some buildings no longer fit for purpose, and others subject to security issues.
We have listened to and carefully examined all of the points raised during the consultation. We understand that for some communities, closing the library would mean that there would be even fewer community spaces for people to meet and that this would have a bigger impact. Given that we are responsible solely for the delivery of cultural services, we are limited in the actions we can take to address these wider concerns, but we will absolutely support Fife Council as it liaises with community groups to explore alternative library provision options. We remain confident that the strategy we have developed is robust and will provide comprehensive sustainable cultural services across Fife for years to come.”
ENDS
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Note to editors:
· The papers for today’s Executive Committee meeting are available on Fife Direct here.
Additional background on Fife Cultural Trust’s original proposals:
· The main change the Trust is proposing in order to deliver the required savings for Fife Council is by moving to a new operating model for library services.
· This change would reduce the number of library branches across Fife by 16.
· The 16 libraries proposed for closure are: Abbeyview, Bowhill, Colinsburgh, Crail, Crossgates, East Wemyss, Falkland, Freuchie, Glenwood, Kinghorn, Lundin Links, Markinch, Pittenweem, Pitteuchar, Thornton and Townhill.
· Everyone would still have access to the library service, but it would mean some buildings would close and the way the service is delivered would change.
· Opening hours, mobile library routes and housebound services would be reviewed to ensure the widest access possible.
· Fife Cultural Trust (FCT) receives a management fee from Fife Council to operate museums, galleries, libraries and theatres on its behalf.
· The original budget saving set by Fife Council in 2013 to be delivered by FCT was £1,485,000. A further £234,000 efficiency savings target has since been required of FCT bringing the total savings delivered through FCT by 2017/18 to £1.7m.
· FCT has already delivered £906,000 of the budget savings target and is required to deliver the remaining £813,000 by March 2018.
· Further budget savings may also be required of the Trust in future.
· Fife has 51 libraries; Fife Cultural Trust currently run 47 of these for Fife Council.
· Some libraries are more popular than others, with opening hours ranging from six hours to over 50 each week.
· Fife currently has three mobile libraries.
· The number of items issued by Fife libraries has fallen by over 23% in the last seven years.
· The number of visitors to Fife libraries has fallen by 13% in the last seven years.
· The number of public access PC sessions is continuing to see an increase in demand – in 2013/14 it was up 9% on the previous year.
· The average ‘cost per issue’ for libraries is £1.24.
· The average ‘cost per issue’ for mobile libraries is £5.72.
About Fife Cultural Trust
Fife Cultural Trustmanages and operates cultural services on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife.
The Trust is responsible for:
· 47 libraries, 3 mobile libraries, and library services to primary schools
· 12 museum and heritage venues including Kirkcaldy Galleries
· 4 theatre and community venues including Rothes Halls and Adam Smith Theatre
· Fife’s historical archives and Fife Council’s Records management
· Fife’s Cultural Strategy, Partnerships, and Consortium
· Maintenance and development of library services within Fife Council’s 4 integrated customer service facilities
· Stewardship and care for the objects and archives in Fife Council’s collections
Further information about Fife Cultural Trust can be found online at www.onfife.com
Fife Cultural Trust
Company Number: SC415704
Scottish Charity Number: SC043442
www.onfife.com