Our Cabinet agreed a paper at its meeting last week which detailed positive progress on a raft of new measures announced at the beginning of this year designed to ensure the county’s library service is fit for the future and remains at the heart of its communities.
Cabinet agreed to the continuation of the delivery of the new measures and noted the update on the strong progress made so far as part of a phased strategy over 5 years.
As part of the same report, Cabinet was also due to discuss a recommendation to discontinue the proposed relocation of Clay Cross Library from its existing site in Kenning Park to a new extension of the Clay Cross Adult Education building (part of the Clay Cross Town Deal), in the town centre.
Following receipt of additional information, Cabinet decided to delegate a final decision on the proposed relocation of the library to officers and the relevant Cabinet Members, once the additional information has been considered.
The proposed move of the library to a new build extension to the Adult Education building in Clay Cross town centre was approved by Cabinet in July 2024.
However, in the intervening period concerns have been raised around the achievability of the move within the available Clay Cross Town Deal funding envelope.
The full implications of the proposals will be reviewed in order for a decision to be made on the best location for the service, with Cabinet Members working with the relevant services to continue to explore opportunities to secure improvements to Clay Cross Library in liaison with North-East Derbyshire District Council and other key stakeholders as appropriate.
In the meantime the library will continue to operate from its existing home in Kenning Park.
Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dawn Abbott said:
“We’re very pleased with the strong progress that is being made on delivering a reshaped library service, which will provide a more efficient and effective service for residents of Derbyshire, with greater community involvement and work with a range of partners including banking hubs, the Department for Work and Pensions, public health and third sector organisations.
“Cabinet’s decision to delegate decisions on the proposed relocation of Clay Cross Library is necessary while we gather additional information.”
Cabinet Member for Business Services Councillor Stephen Reed said:
“We will continue to explore opportunities to secure improvements to the library, and the best way forward for the library service, the residents of Clay Cross and the council as a whole, liaising closely with partners.
“A decision will be made in the new year once we are happy we have all the information required and it has been carefully considered.”