Issue - meetings

To consider reports on :-

1. Cross Boundary Usage of Library Services
2. Partnership in Service Delivery
3. Fees and Charges 2009/10

These reports are presented to the Advisory Panel to enable Panel Members to be aware of forthcoming Cabinet issues and to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

Reports attached.

Partnership in Service Delivery

          Consideration was given to a report, which was submitted to the Panel to enable Members to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

          It was noted that all the Authorities forming the constituent parts of the new Cheshire East Council currently partnered in different ways, with a wide range of organisations to deliver services to their respective communities.  These could be through either a formal contract, with funds specifically allocated to a service area, or through more general grant funds, which communities could bid into.  The purpose of the report was to seek Cabinet confirmation that, at least for the coming year 2009/10, support to partner organisations would be at a level equivalent to the current 2008/09 year or at a level previously agreed with the current grant giving authority.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel requested that a cross checking exercise take place to establish where grants were paid to partners from more than one of the existing Councils.

       RESOLVED

          That Cabinet be recommended to approve the decision required, as set out in the report:

                   1     That Cheshire East Council consider and agree the level of financial support to existing external service delivery partners be maintained for 2009/10 at current levels.

   2             That it is agreed that all the partnership arrangements be subject to more detailed review in Year 1, to assess cost/outcomes of all individual agreements.

   Cross Boundary Use of Library Services

          Consideration was given to a report, which was submitted to the Panel to enable  Members to contribute views, to inform the decision making of Cabinet.

          The report advised the Panel of issues relating to cross boundary usage of library services, after April 2009 and recommended that there should be cross boundary usage of library services after April 2009 and that officers be instructed to take steps to implement this proposal.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel raised the following issues:-

          (i)      It was considered that the proposal should be supported, however, it was suggested that it might be appropriate to set up a Task Group, in the following year to consider this matter.

(ii)            It was asked whether there was a proposal to issue new separate Cheshire East and Cheshire West library cards on 1 April and officers clarified that there was no such proposal.

          (iii)    It was queried whether mobile libraries would continue on their present routes and it was hoped that this would continue, if possible.  It was reported that an Officer Task and Finish Group was considering the issue of mobile libraries and a report would be submitted to Members, if required.

          (iv)    It was noted that other users of the library service included schools, the Older People and those with mental health problems and this was not referred to in the report.

          (v)     It was suggested that consideration be given to the introduction of the national library card.

          RESOLVED

          That Cabinet be recommended to agree that there should be cross boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16