Councillors to discuss final proposals regarding the future of our libraries

A report to councillors will outline proposed changes to the city’s libraries aiming to help us deliver a sustainable and affordable library service.  

The proposals to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday 11 December include: 

  • reducing opening hours at Jubilee Library by 5 hours each week on Monday evenings and Sunday afternoons
  • reducing opening hours at Hove Library by 5 hours each week on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons
  • closing Hollingbury Library
  • closing Westdene Library
  • continuing the Rottingdean Library service, with a further report to come back to Cabinet in 12 months to review the outcome of work with community partners.  

It is also recommended officers work with partners to explore options for future community based offers in those areas where libraries might close.  

The final proposals are based on consultation responses; analysis of the needs and use of the city’s residents and libraries; the equalities impact of the proposals; and knowledge and understanding of the service’s current and future needs and priorities. 

According to the Libraries Basic Dataset 2023 from Arts Council England, we currently offer more library provision per resident than the national average. If the proposals are agreed, Brighton & Hove would still have more libraries per resident than the national average with a reasonable geographic spread. 

Background 

In February, councillors agreed to reduce the Library Service budget by £210,000 by reducing public services.  

The proposed changes at Jubilee and Hove Libraries reflect the times when the fewest people access them. The libraries proposed for closure were selected based on their use, geographic spread and the needs of the communities they serve.  

A 12-week public consultation took place between July and October seeking feedback on a reduction in opening hours at Jubilee and Hove Libraries and the closure of Hollingbury, Rottingdean and Westdene Libraries.  

This included a survey, public meetings and drop-in sessions, email correspondence and meetings with community groups and stakeholders. More than 2,700 people engaged with the survey and hundreds attended online and face-to-face meetings. 

Rationale  

Jubilee Library  

Jubilee Library is the city's biggest and busiest library and reducing opening hours would impact a significant number of residents and customers. However, the proposals for this site would ensure good opening hours are retained, including evenings and weekends.  

Footfall at Jubilee Library peaks on weekday mornings, remains steady throughout the day and drops off between 5pm and 7pm, with just 1% of the library's weekly visits taking place during these hours. Sundays from 11am to 12 noon are almost 3 times as busy as 4pm to 5pm, with 2pm to 5pm on Sundays accounting for only 4% of the week’s visitors.  

Hove Library 

Hove Library is the second largest and second busiest library in the city. Hourly footfall peaks on weekday mornings, remains steady throughout the day and drops off gradually, with 5pm to 7pm accounting for just 2% of the branch’s weekly visits.  

Hove Library currently sees an average of 29 people visiting on Wednesdays between 6pm and 7pm. Saturdays from 10am to 11am are twice as busy on average as 4pm to 5pm, while 2pm to 5pm accounts for only 6% of the library's weekly visits. 

Hollingbury Library (Old Boat Corner) 

The number of customers using Hollingbury Library is the lowest in the city and closure of this site will impact the fewest people.  

The Patcham & Hollingbury ward contains 2 libraries that are less than 2 miles apart, with the footfall at Patcham Library considerably higher. 

Hollingbury Library is based at the Old Boat Community Centre, a key community resource. Officers will continue to work with the centre to explore how we can support visitors, for example through donations of books and support for digital inclusion. 

Westdene Library  

The number of customers registered at Westdene is the city’s second lowest, which means closure would impact a relatively small number of residents. It is close to Patcham Library and data shows those in the south of the ward already use Hove and Hangleton Libraries. 

Westdene Library is adjacent to Westdene Primary School and there are regular class visits to supplement the school’s library provision. We will continue to work with the school to explore how we can support pupils to access books and study space. 

Rottingdean Library  

The previous recommendation to close Rottingdean has been removed. It is proposed that the library in Rottingdean is retained while options for community-based provision are explored with partners. 

During the consultation there were more responses regarding Rottingdean than any other library, with more than 200 people attending the public meetings. Residents fed back that closure would disproportionately impact those unable to travel to alternative sites, such as older and disabled people, and families with young children.  

This ward has the highest number of older people in the city, and according to the consultation responses this branch has one of the highest proportions of disabled users. 

The removal of this proposal will reduce the savings achievable against the Library Service revenue budget by £40,000 and alternative savings will need to be made elsewhere in the council to offset this. 

Alternatives considered 

Most respondents did not agree with the proposals to reduce opening hours or close libraries. However, at Budget Council it was agreed that we need to reduce public-facing services in order to make necessary savings and ensure an efficient service. 

During the consultation residents shared a range of ideas of alternative ways to meet the savings and deliver library services, such as: 

  • seeking alternative funding
  • reducing hours at alternative times or sites
  • reintroducing the mobile library service
  • providing community book collections
  • exploring community-run models and third-party providers
  • rebalancing staffed and Libraries Extra days across sites
  • increasing use of volunteers  

However, no suggestions were made that would enable us to deliver the necessary savings in the agreed timeframe while maintaining a comprehensive service across the city. If the proposals are approved, officers recommend that some of the ideas raised during the consultation are explored further.  

Difficult decision 

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sport, Recreation and Libraries, said: “I’d like to thank everyone that took the time to respond to the consultation or attend a public meeting on this subject. All responses have been considered carefully.  

“I am pleased that we are proposing to retain the Rottingdean Library service for the time being while we explore future options. Reducing library services is always a difficult decision and this is only being considered in response to an extremely challenging financial situation. 

“It is crucial that we deliver savings that will enable us to balance our budget while protecting library services in Brighton & Hove where they are in greatest need. 

“While any of these changes will affect some residents, if the changes are agreed by councillors, most people could access services at the city’s 11 remaining libraries, online and through the Home Delivery Service.  

“If the proposals are agreed, Brighton & Hove would still have more libraries per resident than the national average with a reasonable geographic spread.” 

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