Kent County Council has published its Libraries, Registration and Archives Draft Strategy 2019-22, the consultation for which opened on 21st November 2018 and closes at midnight on 29th January 2019.
Hard copies are available from all Kent libraries, register offices and Gateways. The nearest drop in event to discuss this proposed strategy with KCC staff will be held on Wednesday 2nd January 2019 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. at the Kent History and Library Centre, James Whatman Way, Maidstone ME14 1LQ.
Your committee offers no opinion on this document except to note the suggestion that the overall number of library opening hours across the county would be reduced by 20% in order to save up to £1mill. In addition, the document suggests that Maidstone would be open for thirteen fewer hours per week. It is not clear how this might affect Registration Services, since a reduction in the availability of these services could affect current legislation requirements which state that the delivery of registration services remains with the local authority.
In addition, proposed Library Tiers' weekly opening hours are as follows:-
Town Plus - 42
Town - 37
Community plus - 28
Community - 23
Small community - 15
At present Madginford Library is open for 40 hours per week; the plan is to reduce this by 12 hours, whilst Bearsted Library would gain 8 hours on the current 20 hours. This would equalise their weekly opening hours as Community Plus Tier libraries.