Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mahmut Aksanoglu who was substituted by Cllr Nelly Gyosheva, Cllr Kate Anolue who was substituted by Cllr Doris Jiagge, Cllr Hivran Dalkaya who was substituted by Cllr Chris James, Cllr Eylem Yuruk who was substituted by Cllr George Savva MBE and Cllr Maria Alexandrou who was substituted by Cllr Julian Sampson.

The Chair detailed the procedure of the meeting and outlined how the Overview & Scrutiny Committee would consider the reasons for call in.

The Committee noted that Councillor Edward Smith would present the reasons for the call-in as the Lead Call-in Member.

Members of the Committee are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

The following councillors declared a personal interest in:

Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu as she is a member of the Enfield Town Library

Cllr Edward Smith as he is a member  and regular user of Enfield Town, Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill Libraries

Cllr Michael Rye OBE as he is a member of the Enfield Town Library

Cllr Chris James as she is a member of the Enfield Town Library

Cllr James Hockney as he is a member of the Ridge Avenue Library

To consider a call-in received on the decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces on Phase two consultation exercise on a new Enfield Council Library Strategy (KD5760)

The decision that has been called in was taken on 22 July 2024 and included on the Publication of Decision List No: 13/24-25 issued on 22 July 2024.

It is proposed that consideration of the call-in be structured as follows:

·         Brief outline of reasons for the call-in by representative (s) of the members who have called in the decision.

·         The Cabinet Member/decision maker and officers respond to the reasons provided for the Call-In.

·         Debate by Overview & Scrutiny Committee and agreement on action to be taken.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee were to consider and review KD5760 – Phase two consultation exercise on a new Enfield Council Library Strategy - taken on 22 July 2024 and included on the Publication of Decision List No. 13/24-25.

The decision had been called in for review by 7 members of the Council, namely Councillors: Edward Smith (Lead), Peter Fallart, Chris Joannides, Andrew Thorp, Elisa Morreale, Andy Milne and Chris Dey.

The report sets out the officer response to the reasons for call-in.

Reasons for the call-in were presented by Councillor Edward Smith, Lead Call-in Member for the decision.

Councillor Smith summarised the reasons for the call-in of the decision.

Councillor Smith asked that Members refer the decision back to the decision taker for reconsideration.

Councillor Anyanwu and Officers spoke in response to the reasons for call-in, and questions posed by Members of the Committee stating that; the proposed closure is based on analysis, data and feedback from the first phase of the consultation from over 1000 respondents via various channels i.e. questionnaires, emails and feedback sessions.

The proposed strategy of closing 8 libraries will avoid £5.3m in future upkeep and maintenance costs and with reduction in libraries means that the council can use the savings to reinvest into the remaining libraries, ensuring they will remain accessible, vibrant and sustainable hubs for all and to enhance to current offering to library users and residents. Libraries will continue to be a place to learn and support each other in Enfield, with a range of services to deliver in a way that suits the evolving needs of the community.

The extended opening hours at libraries will be well communicated with residents through the update of the website and writing out to organisations that support library users such as Enfield Voluntary Action and Age UK. The strategy proposes to adopt a similar scheme that is running at Fore Street Library where partners are keyholders and are able to access the libraries out of hours to continue to run services that will help and benefit residents of the borough.

There has been an increase in other resources available to residents e.g. eBooks and free home library delivery service which will be helpful to those whose local library may be affected by the proposal and may find it difficult to attend a different library.

The Cabinet Member reiterated that no decision had been made on the proposed library closures and it is just a consultation at this stage. They also

encouraged members and residents to provide any concerns or ideas they may have with regard to the proposed library strategy during the consultation period which will run for 12 weeks with the view of finalising the new library strategy and implement any changes in early 2025.

The original decision documents.

Cllr Smith summarised the points made during the discussion and reiterated his view that Members should refer the decision back to the decision taker.

The Chair summarised the key points made throughout the discussion and took Members of the committee through the options available to them, namely: refer the decision back to the decision-making person/body for reconsideration; refer the matter to full Council; or confirm the original decision.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the reasons provided for the Call-In and responses set out in the Officer’s report. Having considered the verbal responses and the information presented by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces, Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu and relevant Officers; the Committee AGREED to confirm the original decision made by the Cabinet Member.

The date of the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting is due to be held on Monday 9 September 2024.

Members NOTED the date of the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as Monday 9 September 2024.

The Chair thanked everyone for their time and contributions.