What this consultation is about
Background
Clay Cross library asset is a prominent building however, it currently doesn't meet either our or the library service vision for the town centre’s high street.
Town deal and renewal opportunities
Derbyshire has 3 Town Deal programmes - each receiving approximately £25 million to deliver capital-based, town centre renewal projects. The 3 Town Deal areas are Staveley, Clay Cross and Long Eaton and we've been working with the relevant district and borough authorities to prepare projects suitable of meeting the grant funding criteria and our own ambitions and priorities.
This consultation sets out the opportunities for the existing Clay Cross Library as part of wider proposals to create new or refurbished premises maintained at the current service level into which the respective library could relocate, if agreed.
Clay Cross Library is currently situated in Kenning Park and although it has good pedestrian access, it is situated away from the town centre to the west of the A61. The total floor space is 183 square metres, (140 square metres public space and non-public area 43 square metres). The library is open for 30 hours per week between Monday and Saturday and employs 5 staff in total, all on a part-time basis. The library offers access to books and resources, via self-service if preferred, a community space for events and activities run either by the library service or by partners and access to 4 public use computers with the ability to print. Help with digital skills can be provided on request. Clay Cross Library currently has 1,242 registered users.
We own the library building but lease the land it's built on. The land is leased from Clay Cross Parish Council under the terms of a 999-years ground lease that commenced in 1956 and restricts use to a public library. The annual ground rent is £2.50.
The proposal is to relocate the library into the adult education centre which is to be part developed and part refurbished to create a new skills hub as part of the Clay Cross Towns Deal Masterplan.
Should it be decided to relocate the library into the proposed skills hub, the parish council has agreed in principle to us surrendering the ground lease at no cost, on condition that the library function is relocated to the town centre as part of the Town Deal initiative.
The current library building could then either be used by the parish council for alternative uses or it could be demolished, and the site returned to parkland or put to another use.
We believe that all libraries provide an important service to residents and community groups, and therefore have specified that if the library was to be relocated:
- the library floor space will remain equal to or similar to the current library space
- the library service will remain accessible to all
- the library service will not be reduced
There are 3 key parts to the proposals:
- part 1 - proposal to relocate the library
- part 2 - using buildings more effectively, making the best use of space and identifying opportunities to link up with key partners
- part 3 - increasing membership, participation, and engagement in the library service
Our aim is to provide a new library facility, offering services that add value to residents in the local community. This consultation enables you to tell us your thoughts about each of the 3 main areas of the proposals.