MEMORANDUM Date: February 2009

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To: All Members of the Panel
John Harris, Glenda Wood
Executive Member: Keith Emsall, Andrew Bignell, Sue Jones, Ian Knowles / From: County Secretary’s Department
Ask for: David Roberts
Ext: 25562
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CULTURE CABINET PANEL

4 FEBRUARY 2009

M I N U T E S

ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

N E Agar, D B Lloyd (substitute for N K Brook), K F Emsall (Executive Member, Education and Culture) (Chairman for this meeting), B N W Hammond, A Oaten, P A Ruffles, E N Singam, D E Lloyd (Executive Member, Resources and Economic Well-being)(substitute for M J Tucker), C J White.

Upon consideration of the agenda for the Panel meeting on 14 January 2009 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:

PART 1

/ / ACTION /
1. /

MINUTES

The minutes of the Panel held on 14 January 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.
2. / PUBLIC PETITIONS
There were none.
3. / CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES RESOURCE BUDGET 2009/ 2010 TO 2012/ 2013
[Officer Contacts: Ian Knowles (Tel: 01992 555792 ]
The report of the Finance, Information and Commercial Services Director on the County Council Resource Budget 20009/ 2010 to 2012/ 2013 had been circulated to all Members, as had the minutes of the Cabinet meeting on 2 February setting out the Cabinet’s proposals on the budget.
The Panel considered a further report from officers which gave a commentary on the Cabinet’s proposals.
The capital programme recommended by Cabinet included the key schemes of South Oxhey Community Library project and the replacement of the library management / Radio Frequency ID system.
The other key scheme affecting this service was the Borehamwood All saints new library / youth and community facility. This was part of the 2009/10-2011/12 Youth Connexions capital programme recommended by Cabinet.
Conclusion
The Panel were pleased that the key schemes, and particularly the replacement of the library management system, were included and therefore endorsed the budget proposals.
4. / LIBRARIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: NEXT STEPS
[Officer Contact: Derek Knight (Tel: 01707 281541]
The Panel noted a report dealing with the key priorities for the Library Service for 2009 to 2012 to refresh and maintain the long term vision of excellence for Hertfordshire’s Library Service.
The programme of improvements introduced since 2006 had ensured that the Public Library Service Standard on opening hours and a Comprehensive Performance Assessment Culture Block score of 4 stars had both been achieved in 2007. However, in 2008 this fell to 3* due to the effect on the PLSS of a larger than expected increase in the population figure. Usage figures and satisfaction levels with the library service continue to improve into 2009.
However, changes to the national performance framework meant that neither PLSS nor the CPA Culture Block now exist as measures of library performance. Instead one National Indicator (NI 9 – Use of Libraries) collected by the Active people Survey will be the only measure used for assessment in the Comprehensive Area Assessment.
The Chairman paid tribute to the staff of the Library Service for the way in which they had improved the condition and usage of Hertfordshire’s libraries and transformed the service in recent years. / Glenda Wood
5. / LIBRARIES PROPERTY UPDATE
[Officer Contact: Jean Holmes (Tel:01707 281584)]
The Panel noted the report which showed steady progress with Borehamwood, Harpenden, Hertford and Oxhey Library projects. Oral updates were given in relation to Hemel Hempstead, Potters Bar, Sawbridgeworth, Stevenage and Ware.
Members of the Panel requested that future reports include a little more detail on each project. / Jean Holmes
6. / LIBRARIES CULTURE AND LEARNING: EQUALITIES
[Officer Contact: Sue Jones (Tel: 01707 281630]
The Panel noted a report on:
§  An up-date on the new national equalities imperatives
§  An up-date on the new equalities reporting and staffing structure within HCC and Libraries, Culture and Learning
§  Examples of recent equalities projects that have been carried out in the department.
A Member commented on feedback he had received from a library user asking for more Polish language material on the subjects of race and religion. It was noted that this comment would be added to the consultation process on stock selection. / Glenda Wood

Andrew Laycock

County Secretary

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090114 culture panel minutes