Press release: UNISON Library response to 70% cut in staffed hours by Barnet Council.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: UNISON Library response to 70% cut in staffed hours by Barnet Council.
On Friday 2 October 2015, Barnet Council published their devastating report on the future of the library service which revealed:
· 46% of workforce to be sacked
· Council are now proposing to cut the 634.5 staffed library hours a week to 188.
· Four out of 14 Libraries will be run completely by volunteers
Our report found
“The cost of the three phases of the Library Review is expected to be about £3.15m, plus £4.41m to reduce the size of libraries and install technology enabled opening systems, a total cost of £7.56m. This is 4.4 times the projected annual savings in the library service operational budget.”
“The scale of the cut in the Library budget is unprecedented and could result in permanent damage to the service, drastically reduce resident’s use of the service and demotivate staff. The planned savings fall short of the target, so further cuts may be made in the Library budget.”
Barnet UNISON report makes the following recommendation:
1. The Council should commit to retaining direct provision of the Library Service, eliminate the need for Phase 3 and save the £500,000 costs.
2. Undertake a more rigorous and comprehensive equality impact assessment of the potential effect of the technology-enabled opening hours, drawing on the socioeconomic profile of users in the Edgware pilot.
3. The equality impact of the proposals on staff must be included in the Equality Analysis.
4. The proposed additional risks should be included in the risk register.
5. The consultation process should prioritise the views of service users and groups and organisations that are potential users of library services and facilities.
Professor Dexter Whitfield said: “Instead of trying to recruit a contractor, the Council should commit to continued provision by Library staff and use the £500,000 savings to increase staffed hours”
Hugh Jordan Barnet UNISON Library Convenor said: “The Council’s proposal “Barnet future Library Service” is a plan to replace qualified, experienced staff who have a wide range of skills and knowledge with volunteer and machines, and to reduce the size and quality of Libraries. The people of Barnet, including our members, did not march, lobby, sign petitions and respond to the consultation in support of volunteer and machine operated libraries, they were defending a service staffed by real library workers, libraries with enough space for people to study and use IT, and to house sufficient items for loan to meet the needs of their users. UNISON members working in Barnet Libraries oppose the Council’s dire future vision of our Service.”
UNISON Branch Secretary John Burgess said:
“It is a little early for Halloween, but this Library proposal is more trick than treat. The trick is pretending to save our Libraries, the cut in staff and subsequent staff opening hours is tantamount to wholesale closure of all of our Libraries. This proposal will leave all the libraries to ‘wither on the vine’. I can predict a future Library meeting recommending closure of the Libraries with the justification being that no one is using the Libraries. Our members will be joining the Save Barnet Libraries campaign at the Library Committee meeting on 12 October.”
Save Barnet Libraries campaign are holding a rally outside Hendon Town Hall on Monday 12 October at 6 pm.
End.
Notes to Editors.
Contact details: John Burgess Barnet UNISON on 07738389569 or 0208 359 2088 or email: john.burgess@barnetunison.org.uk
Background:
1. Barnet UNISON response to proposal to sack 46% of Library workforce. –http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/Barnet%20Library%20Review%202%20UNISON.pdf
2. Save Barnet Libraries rally details here http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/12%20Oct%20CELS%20Lobby%20Flyer_0.pdf
3. The Future of Barnet Libraries – http://www.european-services-strategy.org.uk/publications/public-bodies/transformation-and-public-service-reform/options-appraisals/the-future-of-barnet-libraries/future-of-barnet-libraries.pdf