Agenda item

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Economy & Regeneration; Resources, Commisisoiing & Goverannce; and Citizen Focus & Engagement.

The report provides an update on progress with Stockport’s Future High Street Fund project, Stockroom and seeks support and approval on the proposals; and further provides an update on the recent consultation undertaken and seek approval to relocate the town centre library offer from Central Library into Stockroom.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Note the update on progress with Stockport’s Future High Street Fund project, Stockroom and approve the proposals.

(2) Note the recent consultation undertaken and approve the relocation the town centre library offer from Central Library Building into Stockroom.

(3) Delegate authority to  the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus & Engagement, the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration:

(a)       to appoint a contractor to deliver the refurbishment works and execute any necessary letter of intent or other agreement, pending resolution of the final contract, to maintain progress in connection with the redevelopment of Stockroom;

(b)       to take all necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report;

(c)       to approve the final Operational Business Plan for Stockroom.

(4) Delegate authority to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of the resolutions at 17.1.3.

(5) Note the update provided on the potential future uses of the existing Central Library Building and approve the proposed course of action set out in Section 10 to progress these.

Officer Contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Members for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller); Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee); and Citizen Focus & Engagement (Councillor David Sedgwick) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with Stockport’s Future High Street Fund project, Stockroom and seeking support and approval on the proposals; and further provided an update on the recent consultation undertaken and seeking approval to relocate the town centre library offer from Central Library into Stockroom.

The Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus & Engagement (Councillor David Sedgwick) reported that the proposal not only aimed to provide a library service that was fit for the 21^st century but which would also enhance peoples’ lives.  It was stated that Stockroom would be significantly larger than Central Library and as a result would be able to display more books.  It was noted that there was significant opposition from some members of the public with particular regard to the Central Library facility.  However, it was stated that there was an absolute commitment that the building would remain accessible to the public. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) stated that that representations received through the petition and consultation whilst significant in number could not be said to represent the views of all the residents of Stockport.  It was further stated that the Council had demonstrated a commitment to libraries unlike other parts of the country that had seen the closure of library facilities.  It was noted that Central Library would remain a challenge in terms of the accessibility of the building to all sectors of the population, with particular regard to those with mobility difficulties.   Councillor McGee further stated that it was important to recognise that while Central Library was an asset that served the whole of the borough, it also served as a local library to those less affluent communities both within and directly adjacent to the town centre that deserved access to high quality, modern library facilities.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) reported that the Stockroom proposal represented a significant investment in the future of the library service in Stockport which would repurpose 70,000 sq foot of underutilised space in the heart of the town centre which would allow for the display of significantly more books than could be provided at the Central Library facility.  The enhanced facility would provide for enhance computer facilities and provide a place for children to do their homework.  It was further stated that the relocation of the adult education service into Central Library would allow for the provision of an enhanced service to tackle the issue of poor literacy and improve access to the economy and jobs.

The following comments were then made/ issues raised:-

·         It would not be possible to spend the £14.5m from the Future High Street Fund on the Central Library facility.

·         There was insufficient funding available for the Council to be able to develop and enhance services itself at the Central Library site.

·         Stockroom would provide an opportunity to display more books and provide more services than would be possible at Central Library.

·         The provision of changing places facilities was welcomed.

·         The new Stockroom development would go some way to tackling issues of inequality in the borough.

·         The Central Library building would continue to have a secure future as part of these proposals.

RESOLVED - (1) That the update on progress with Stockport’s Future High Street Fund project, Stockroom be noted and approval be given to the proposals.

(2) That the recent consultation undertaken be noted and approval be given to the relocation the town centre library offer from Central Library Building into Stockroom.

(3) That authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus & Engagement; the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance; and the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration:-

(a)  to appoint a contractor to deliver the refurbishment works and execute any necessary letter of intent or other agreement, pending resolution of the final contract, to maintain progress in connection with the redevelopment of Stockroom;

(b)  to take all necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report; and

(c)  to approve the final Operational Business Plan for Stockroom.

(4) That authority be delegated to the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to do all things necessary or incidental to the implementation of resolution (3).

(5) That the update provided on the potential future uses of the existing Central Library Building be noted and approval be given the proposed course of action set out in Section 10 of the report to progress these.