The meeting consisted of a presentation from Hackney Council officers and UNISON representatives on the progress that has been made implementing the Council's new Libraries Strategy, which was adopted in 2022, and the success of the restructure of the library service that was implemented in April 2023. The Committee also received a presentation about a recent peer review of the service that was conducted by the Local Government Association. Finally, the Committee reviewed the planned work programme for the year ahead and noted the findings of an investigation into a request made at a previous meeting about whether the Council could make its decision-making processes more clear in materials provided to residents.

Hackney Libraries Strategy and Service Update

The Committee received a presentation from council officers on the progress made on implementing the Hackney Libraries Strategy since the last time it was discussed in January 2023. The presentation covered the impact of the restructure of the library service that took place in April 2023 and noted that it had allowed the Council to meet its savings target of £250,000.

The temporary, two-year closure of Stoke Newington Library for major capital improvements to the Grade 2 listed building resulted in further savings of £248,000 in 2024/25.

The presentation also provided an update on each of the six ambitions of the strategy:

• Health, Wellbeing & Inclusion: The Council has formed partnerships with local organisations including Mind, Positive East, the NHS and Family Action. Notable achievements include nomination for accessibility and ED&I awards, and the completion of access audits at all libraries in partnership with the RNIB and Scope.
• Digital Inclusion: The Council has sought to improve digital engagement by providing computers in libraries and supporting residents to use them. Notable ICT infrastructure improvements include: New PCs, tablets, digital notice boards and visitor counters at all sites, and a new IPad loan scheme for CLS customers.
• Culture & Creativity: Hackney's libraries have hosted 2,900 events this year, a 179% increase on the previous year. The service has also launched a new writer's programme.
• Literacy & Lifelong Learning: The library service has established partnerships with 26 local schools. Notable achievements include: 15,419 school children visits, 6940 attending Under 5s rhyme time sessions, and 30 adults taught to read.
• Co-located Services & Community Hubs: The Council has sought to co-locate services in libraries, including hosting councillor surgeries and providing space to external organisations. Notable achievements include: 250+ people receiving support through the Welcome Hub and £20,000 in Household Support Fund vouchers distributed through libraries
• Customer Profiles: The council has sought to better understand the ways in which residents use libraries.

The Committee then received a presentation from UNISON representatives, who raised a number of issues with the restructure, including:

• Concerns about the reliance on relief staff to cover permanent posts
• The lack of a management target to bring down relief staff hours.
• Staff concerns about the impact of the restructure, specifically, their ability to deliver the library strategy with reduced numbers of permanent staff.
• A potential lack of readiness for the new library strategy.
• The possibility that the council will have to close a library in future to meet budget savings.

The Committee also received a presentation summarising the findings of a recent Peer Review conducted by the LGA. The review was positive about the direction of the service, but made a number of recommendations, including:

• Defining a clear model for the development of Community Hubs.
• Reviewing the usage of library buildings.
• Reviewing the service's approach to volunteering.

Scrutiny Commission Work Programme 2024/25 and Actions Tracker Log

The Committee noted the latest version of the work programme ¹ for the year ahead, and an update on the actions that were agreed at previous meetings. ²

The committee noted that in response to a request made at the meeting on 10 July 2024, the Council had explored how to improve the communication of decisions made following consultations.

The Council has committed to:

• Providing more information about how it has responded to the findings of consultations in materials provided to residents.
• Developing bespoke communication plans for each consultation, taking into account the needs and requirements of each project.

Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy Refresh Update

The Committee received a presentation about the refresh of the Hackney Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy. The existing strategy was adopted in 2018 and runs until 2025. The new strategy is intended to cover the period 2025-2030. The Council is currently in the process of refreshing the strategy. This has involved a period of engagement with the VCS.

The Committee was told that the Council had undertaken a review of the current strategy and had identified some areas where it was no longer fit for purpose. For example, the strategy was written before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on the VCS.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the sector's landscape, the survey delved into key aspects such as organisational size, income levels, the geographical areas served, and the specific needs and aspirations of VCS organisations operating within Hackney.

The Council is now in the process of developing a new strategy, which will be published in 2025.

The strategy refresh will not only shape the Council's relationship with the VCS over the next five years but will also directly influence the redesign of the VCS grants programme.