LIVE Life Aberdeenshire has put its planned closures of 13 libraries on hold.
On Friday, communities across the Shire were shocked to hear news of the closure of their libraries – so apparently were councillors, who had not been party to any decision and who took to social media to express their anger and dismay.
The Bellman understands council bosses and party political group leaders met yesterday at Woodhill House.
Today, it was announced the proposed closures would be paused – and made subject to both public consultation and to councillor scrutiny at area committees before a final decision by the Communities Committee.
Abedeenshire Council’s Director of Education & Children’s Services, Laurence Findlay, said: ”Our strategy for the modernisation of library services in Aberdeenshire has been in place for a number of years, with a focus on meeting the changing needs of our customers and developing a sustainable and affordable service for the future. As part of that, we’ve taken forward the development of popular servics like ‘Click and Collect’ and expanded our range of digital tools, among a wide range of local outreach activity.
“We have been very open about the acute financial challenges facing Aberdeenshire Council. While a core network of library buildings remains firmly part of our plan, the fact is we cannot fund our full estate in the light of changing customer habits and falling footfall. This has caused us to think long and hard about changes that can be made to reduce costs, whilst maintaining critical services for those who need them most.
“Over the past year, we’ve had an ongoing programme of engagement with communities to help shape the future delivery of local library services. We do accept that for those communities who have not yet had the chance to discuss their local library services that this news has caused concern, and for that we apologise.
“Part of our focus is to explore how we could support the continuation of activities such as Bookbug sessions and ‘knit and natter’ groups locally, potentially in alternative venues or in partnership with existing community groups.
“We will continue our programme of local discussions before taking proposals back to our area committees for their input, and thereafter bring a report before Communities Committee for a final decision. We have to recognise, though, that as soon as possible and by the end of the financial year at the latest we will be looking to end the use of a number of our library buildings and make them available for other possible uses.”
Was the news an announcement, or a leak?
Cllr Dawn Black told The Bellman: ”Whilst I appreciate that the financial position of the council means that economies need to be found, the way that matters around some libraries have been handled is deeply disappointing. Due process does not appear to have been taken on any closures.
”To the best of my knowledge, consultations have not yet been taken with all affected communities, impact assessments have not been completed and not all local councillors had the opportunity to have discussion with officers on what are vital community assets and hubs. I believe that governance has not been followed as no committee has agreed these actions.
”I am very mindful that the decisions we make as councillors affect the communities that we exist to serve and in this instance with the information leak there has been a blatant disregard and disrespect for those communities and staff affected.”
And Cllr Sarah Dickinson, who chairs the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee said: ”As a councillor, I was aware that in the context of necessary budget savings but also the changing landscape around libraries with, for example, increasing numbers of people taking advantage of click and collect, the focus was moving towards a hub and spoke model of service delivery which would mean a reduction in the number of buildings. This direction of travel dates back to 2018 with reports coming to Communities Committee at different times since. Some of the buildings that could be impacted were already in the public domain (see the report at item 14 of Agenda for Communities Committee on Thursday, 7th September, 2023, 10.30 am – Aberdeenshire Council).
”The updated list was leaked to the press, and albeit things were moving with pace, the process was still unfolding. As you know, Area Committees will be consulted before a report goes to Communities Committee for a decision.”