Agenda item

A Member’s Item was received in the name of Cllr Zakia Zubairi – Hendon Library and Hendon Hub

Cllr Zubairi stated that assurances need to be given that Hendon Library will remain in its current historic building. Members have received many calls from residents opposing the proposed changes to the Hendon Library, which has been in its location since 1929. Cllr Zubairi commented that Barnet Council has wasted £500,000 on reducing the library’s floor space by 13% and had also cut staffed opening hours. Residents have expressed concerns that its temporary move to a portacabin would result in the loss of this library altogether.

The Chairman noted that a consultation process is currently underway and requested that Cllr Zubairi forward her comments to the Governance Service so that they could be included in the response.

Action: Cllr Zubairi

The Chairman added that the Hendon Library would be considered when it returns to CLLC following the consultation. CLLC would interrogate the findings on the library services aspects of the consultation but not on the wider Hendon Hub, which would be considered by Policy & Resources Committee.

The Director of Assurance, Ms Clair Green stated that the item that had been previously presented to CLLC set out the wider consultation around the Hendon Hub. A link would be sent to all Members on the consultation, which is currently on the ‘Engage Barnet’ section of the website. Ms Green would confirm the arrangements outside the meeting and with the Chairman, to ensure that it is brought back to CLLC. She would ensure that Members are clear of the next steps.

Clerk’s note: Due to technical difficulties the Assistant Director: Commissioning and Business Improvement was unable to comment at the virtual meeting so has added the following comment:

Phase 1 of the consultation regarding Hendon Hub of which Hendon Library is a part is still on-going and will close on the 21 May 2021.  In addition to the main consultation process, the library service is also asking residents to provide feedback on what they would like to see within any new building.  This survey also closes at the end of May.  A second phase of consultation will follow in early summer.  The Assistant Director:  Commissioning and Business Improvement contacted Cllrs Thompstone and Conway on the 9 March to clarify consultation arrangements. 

Cllr Conway stated that Barnet Council did not appear to always listen to the responses to its consultations. She added that there are fears that as part of the wider Hendon Hub plan, this precious local and iconic resource would be lost.

The Chairman noted that over 3000 responses had been received on the previous libraries consultation and this feedback had dramatically changed some of the original proposals. He did not see the Hendon Hub project as an intention to remove Hendon Library.

Cllr Sara Conway – Engagement with residents in a world living with Covid

Cllr Conway thanked officers for the governance review on community safety, and for their time in callover the previous week. She felt encouraged by the positive work such as that around the Census, Community Strategy and the Health Champions. She suggested a review be carried out, to look at the lessons learnt including receiving feedback from other organisations, which would be relevant for the Community Participation Strategy.

Cllr Conway noted that currently engagement remained difficult for residents who did not have internet access, particularly in the absence of face-to-face ward surgeries and other meetings, as well as consultations being online. She stated that she has noticed a lack of response to some consultations recently and suggested a closer look at the Resident Forums and other ways of reaching those who may be disengaged.

The Chairman reported that the committee would be feeding into the Participation Strategy very soon. He added that he has been impressed with officers and the many voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisations that have set up joint working in very difficult circumstances during the pandemic and agreed that the pandemic had highlighted where further work is needed. He invited the Community Engagement, Participation and Strategy Lead, Mr Will Cooper, to speak on the Community Participation Strategy. 

Mr Cooper noted that the consultation aspect of the Strategy would be considered by Policy & Resources Committee (P&R). The Consultation and Engagement Strategy would be part of this and its refresh would be considered by CLLC. Mr Cooper agreed that different ways of working could be discussed to try to get residents more involved and to ensure that those without online access can be reached. The successes from working with partners during the pandemic should be built on and would be considered as part of the Community Participation Strategy, including trying to formalise some of the relationships built during this time.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report.