Agenda item

Opposition Priority Business - Protecting Enfield's Libraries and Leisure Services

An issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group is attached for information.

Minutes:

Councillor Edward Smith introduced the Opposition Priority Business paper on Protecting Enfield’s Libraries and Leisure Services.

 

Councillor Edward Smith noted that the consultation of the draft library strategy was called-in by the opposition on 14 August 2024. They are robustly opposed to the closure of 8 libraries and reduction of the leisure service and suspect that once the public become aware of the proposals there will be a high level of objection against the strategy. Councillor Smith noted that the prolonged closure of the swimming pools at Edmonton and Southbury leisure centres has left members of the public and schools feeling very frustrated as they are being left without suitable leisure provisions despite the appointment of GLL as the new leisure provider.

 

Councillor Smith stated that libraries and Leisure Centres are highly valued and well used by residents and funding needs to be prioritised in order to reopen and keep these essential services operating effectively. The paper set out the benefits of retaining the library service in its current form which the Opposition feels brings social and educational benefits, value to the community in terms of social inclusion and contribution to combatting loneliness.

 

Councillor Chinelo Anyanwu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces responded that the Council is committed to enhancing the current offering to library users and residents to ensure there are comprehensive, well-resourced and sustainable library services which provide space and resources for all, and which will have a positive impact on lives.

 

The consultation proposals are informed by a variety of needs from the communities from different parts of the borough, the accessibility of the library buildings by different modes of transport and feedback from the phase 1 engagement, as well as taking into consideration operational and maintenance costs. Enfield has managed to maintain 16 libraries when the average in London is 12 and the lowest being just 6 despite the 42% reduction in government grants and funding. Since 2016, more than 108 council run libraries have been closed or run by voluntary groups. Councillor Anyanwu noted that  reviewing the library strategy is crucial to ensure it meets the needs of those who live, work, and study in the borough. Phase 1 involved engaging with residents and stakeholders, while the current Phase 2 focuses on consultation. This phase aims to gather feedback from stakeholders to understand the potential impacts of the draft proposal and to collect suggestions for mitigating those impacts or finding alternative ways to achieve the same level of savings. The Cabinet member emphasised that no decision had been made at this stage.

 

Members of the opposition expressed concern that the potential closure of 8 libraries would have an adverse impact on residents, including students, who use libraries for homework and who require space and access to free computers, and the elderly who may find it difficult to travel much further to attend a library. In their opinion, from a financial perspective, the argument for closure is weak, as the expenditure on libraries is insignificant compared to the Council’s overall deficit. It was also expressed that older people and those with disabilities will be hugely disadvantaged and become isolated if the smaller libraries are closed. Libraries provide a safe space for all, offering a place to warm themselves and engage in social interaction with others. Additionally, it was suggested that libraries are more than just places to borrow books; they serve as community hubs, offering educational programs, workshops, and resources that foster lifelong learning and personal development as well as supporting social cohesion and economic development. Closing these libraries would not only deprive residents of these valuable services but have long-term negative consequences for the community.

 

The Majority Group responded that previous government cuts to the financial envelope meant that the Council has to do more with less. The proposed strategy of closing 8 libraries will avoid £5.3m in future upkeep and maintenance costs and the council can use the savings to reinvest into the remaining libraries, ensuring they will remain accessible, vibrant and sustainable hubs for all. Libraries will continue to be a place to learn and support each other in Enfield, with a range of services delivered in a way that suits the evolving needs of the community.

 

The Majority group noted that there had 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 proposals or who may find it difficult to attend a different library.

 

With regard to leisure facilities, the Edmonton Leisure Centre is scheduled to reopen soon, with detailed plans to be announced in October. Additionally, the council has invested over £1 million to repair and enhance the Southbury Leisure Centre.

 

During the debate, a procedural motion was moved by Councillor Rick Jewell and seconded by Councillor Chris Dey under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for a further 60 minutes which was put to the vote and AGREED.

 

Cllr Alessandro Georgiou, Leader of the Opposition, in summing up, advised that if the Council is unable to keep open all the libraries, low-cost lease arrangements could be an alternative option that would raise revenue for the council and would avoid closures. Rather than terminating contracts of the workforce within the libraries, they could be redeployed elsewhere within the organisation would be a better option. The Opposition supported the decision to permit emergency expenditure to repair the ceiling in Southbury Leisure centre but stated this would not have been needed if the leisure provider had been managed properly.

 

Cllr Ergin Erbil, Acting Leader of the Council, responded that whilst the Council faces challenges, it is committed to enhancing and protecting Enfield’s libraries and leisure services. It will continue to invest in these vital community spaces, ensuring they serve the needs of all residents. The Council is consulting with the community and will finalise the strategies in early 2025 based on feedback received and all other relevant information. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to take forward any of the recommendations set out in the paper submitted under this opposition priority business whilst there is an ongoing consultation.

 

Following the extended debate, a procedural motion was moved and seconded under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that the question be now put which was put to the vote and AGREED.

 

The Mayor, in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules, asked the Opposition if they wish to go to a vote on to approve the Majority Group’s response and Councillor Chris Dey replied that they did and would like a recorded vote.

 

A request for a recorded vote having been put by Councillor Chris Dey, and another 11 members of the Council having stood in support of the request, the response from the Majority Group that the recommendations in the Opposition Priority Business paper not be taken forward was put to the vote and was APPROVED with the following votes recorded:

 

For (34)

Cllr Abdul Abdullahi

Cllr Josh Abey

Cllr Nicki Adeleke

Cllr Gunes Akbulut

Cllr Mahmut Aksanoglu

Cllr Nawshad Ali

Cllr Kate Anolue

Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu

Cllr Mahym Bedekova

Cllr Sinan Boztas

Cllr Nesil Caliskan

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu

Cllr Mustafa Cetinkaya

Cllr Hivran Dalkaya

Cllr Guney Dogan

Cllr Elif Erbil

Cllr Ergin Erbil

Cllr Susan Erbil

Cllr Margaret Greer

Cllr Ayten Guzel

Cllr Nelly Gyosheva

Cllr Ahmet Hasan

Cllr Suna Hurman

Cllr Chris James

Cllr Rick Jewell

Cllr Doris Jiagge

Cllr Destiny Karakus

Cllr Tim Leaver

Cllr Gina Needs

Cllr Ahmet Oykener

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin

Cllr Bektas Ozer

Cllr Doug Taylor

Cllr Eylem Yuruk

 

Against (23)

Cllr Maria Alexandrou

Cllr Lee Chamberlain

Cllr Chris Dey

Cllr Peter Fallart

Cllr Reece Fox

Cllr Alessandro Georgiou

Cllr Pat Gregory

Cllr Adrian Grumi

Cllr James Hockney

Cllr Stephanos Ioannou

Cllr Chris Joannides

Cllr Andy Milne

Cllr Elisa Morreale

Cllr Tom O’Halloran

Cllr Paul Pratt

Cllr Michael Rye OBE

Cllr Julian Sampson

Cllr Ruby Sampson

Cllr David Skelton

Cllr Edward Smith

Cllr Jim Steven

Cllr Emma Supple

Cllr Andrew Thorp

 

Abstention (1)

Cllr Mohammad Islam, the Mayor.

 

The recommendations in the Opposition Business paper were therefore not accepted.

Supporting documents: