UPPER NORWOOD LIBRARY JOINT COMMITTEE The members of the Committee for 2009/10 are as follows: Representing Borough of Lambeth Councillors Rachel Heywood, David Malone (Chair), Suzanne Poole, and Graham Pycock. Representing London Borough of Croydon Councillors Eddy Arram (Vice Chair), Robert Askey, George Filbey and Steve Hollands. Representing the Norbury & Neighbourhood Partnership Mr. Joseph Figuiera, co-opted Member Representing the Norwood Forum Mr Don Bianco, Co opted Member

UPPER NORWOOD LIBRARY JOINT COMMITTEE

DRAFT MINUTES of the Meeting held on 3 March 2010 at 6.30pm at the Upper Norwood Joint Library, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood.

PART A Present: Councillors David Malone (Chair), Eddy Arram (Vice Chair), Suzanne Poole, Graham Pycock, George Filbey, Steve Hollands, Mr. Joseph Figuiera and Mr Don Bianco.

Apologies: Councillors Robert Askey and Rachel Heywood

A33/09 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING (item 1)

A34/09 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (item 2) Councillors Robert Askey and Rachel Heywood

A35/09 DECLARATION OF INTEREST (item 3) There were no declarations of interest

A36/09 URGENT BUSINESS (item 4) None

A37/09 EXEMPT ITEMS (item 5) None

A38/09 CHIEF LIBRARIAN’S REPORT (1) – Business Plan and Service Developments February 2010 (item 6)

Before the Chief Librarian presented his report it was reported that a working group had been set up after the last meeting. The working group which consisted of Councillors Eddy Arram, Suzanne Poole, David Malone, Ms Pam Gray and Mr Don Bianco, submitted views by email.

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The group resolved that a formula for funding the library was needed. This was previously raised by Councillors George Filbey and Graham Pycock. The group had requested that Bradley Millington (Chief Librarian) devise a funding formula. That funding formula is included in the second report from the Chief Librarian.

The Chief Librarian then spoke on his written report, highlighting key points and forthcoming events, including events for World Book day which would take place the following day.

RESOLVED that the Chief Librarian and Staff be thanked for their excellent report and for the brilliant activities of the Library and the report be received.

Councillor Filbey stated that a black hole would be left behind if the library were to close.

Public comments on the Charter were welcomed and it was requested that more time be allowed for this.

RESOLVED that the deadline would be extended until further consultation could take place.

The Chair then introduced the draft library charter.

The Chair read aloud the eight clauses of the UNJL Charter. Two additional clauses were proposed: Cllr Arram called for the Charter to have a binding legal status right, making it binding, and Cllr Poole suggested that it contain a Funding Formula. Although it was agreed that these should be added to the Charter as clauses nine and ten, all concurred that even if these two additional clauses were not approved everyone would support the first eight clauses.

The Chair informed the committee that he had received up to twenty letters of public support for the Charter and commented that this illustrated that the Charter is debated and discussed. The Chair then read aloud two of these letters which were from: Jane & David Moore and David Shaw. These two letters have been attached as appendix A and B. Committee members were asked to note that David Shaw was not a resident of the area, but has a special collection deposited at the library. David Savas, an employee of the UNJL, explained that the special collection was a compilation of the work of the Victorian born poet, Gerald Massey.

The discussion was then opened to the floor. Cllr Filbey argued that the Charter should contain an obligation on both parties to pay a certain amount. Cllr Arram agreed with Cllr Filbey commenting that an agreement may be reached but it may not be adhered to. Cllr Arram continued by stating he was prepared to sign it as is and would support a Charter with eight or ten points.

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Cllr Poole and Mr Joseph Figuiera both voiced their agreement. They then sought to summarise the thoughts of all Committee members; that all agreed to sign up to the Charters’ eight clauses, but that the two additional clauses to ensure funding needed to be debated. Cllr Poole called for a solid commitment to protecting the funding as the library cannot survive on goodwill alone.

Mr Don Bianco was pleased that committee members from both boroughs supported the Charter. As the UNJL was a special case he asked Committee members to treat it as such, by removing it from general library funding, to ensure proper financial support.

The Chair commended Solomon Agutu for his efforts throughout the year and for his commitment to the UNJL.

RESOLVED that all committee members would be happy to sign the Charters’ eight clauses; but that the two additional clauses and the suggestion of removing the UNJL from the general library funding budget should be debated at the next UNJL meeting.

A39/09 CHIEF LIBRARIAN’S REPORT (2) - A Funding Formula for UNJLC (item 7)

The Chief Librarian submitted a written report. The report summarises three possible models for the provision of a funding formula for the Library. The report begins by setting out the history of attempts to develop a funding formula and sets out three options (a) a formula based on comparisons with local borough library services (b) a formula based on an average of Greater London or Inner London funding for library services and (c) a stand alone formula specific to this library. The full paper is attached to the minutes.

Chair stated that when he was appointed he wondered why the library had a “campaign group” not a “Friends Of” group. He soon realised that it is a unique library but with a constant battle to ensure that there was adequate funding – hence the library is always on a war footing. The purpose of this item was to stabilise the library funding and he was looking forward to the day when the “campaign group” would become the “friends of” group. Mr Payne interjected that they find that they are in a constant fight and would appear to be a group to be overcome, rather than a group to be worked with.

Cllr Poole thanked the Chief Librarian for the comprehensive paper and drew attention to the £249,000 in paragraph 12.3. She pointed out that this was not so much a funding gap as a political gap brought about by lack of political will to fund the library properly. Cllr Arram thanked the Chief Librarian and pointed out that the Chief Librarian had very little

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time to research his report. He doubted the accuracy of the figures and therefore doubted the conclusions to be drawn from them. He invited the Treasurer to comment on the figures. The Treasurer replied that the figures were not free of dispute and pointed out where the difference of opinion might be found. There followed a discussion between the Treasurer and the Chief Librarian from which the committee was able to conclude that there was room for discussion on the submitted figures behind the models.

There was general agreement that a funding formula was a good thing if it created stability for the library. There was no agreement on which of the three models should be adopted as the assumptions behind each model were not universally agreed. Should the joint committee recommend a model to the boroughs or recommend the principle of a funding formula? As the committee members could not agree a model of funding due to the absence of complete information it was suggested that the principle of a funding formula be recommended to the Boroughs.

After debate there was then a proposal that recommendation 13.1 be adopted without proposing a preferred model as there was some work still to be done before a preferred model could be adopted. RESOLVED by 4 votes for, 0 votes against and 2 abstentions, that the principle of a funding formula be recommended to the boroughs together with the Chief Librarian’s report, without supporting a particular model.

A40/09 TREASURER’S REPORT (item 8)

The treasurer presented his written report which projected a surplus.

A41/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING (item 9)

The date of the next meeting was not set, however, it was agreed that it would be the Annual General Meeting.

A42/09 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Arram thanked the Chair for Chairing and for all his efforts throughout the year. RESOLVED to pass a vote of thanks to the Chair.

The meeting ended at 7.45pm

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