This report provides the outcome of the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) business planning stage for the libraries and makes recommendations for each asset.

Resolved (Unanimously) – That the Director of Resources be authorised to:

(1) Enter into negotiations to transfer the assets of (a) Pensby library to Pioneer People; and (b) Prenton Library to St. Stephens Church.

(2) Enter into further discussions, for a period of time ending on 9 December 2022, with the groups who have submitted business plans for the libraries at Wallasey Village, Irby, Woodchurch and Hoylake with a view to achieving a viable business plan for a Community Asset Transfer;

(3) Pursue alternative options including sale or commercial leasing for those libraries at Wallasey Village, Irby, Woodchurch and/or Hoylake for which viable business plans are not achieved within this timescale;

(4) Enter into further discussions for a period of time ending on 9 December with Co-Op Academy regarding the option of the an asset transfer to the Co-Op Academy of Higher Bebington library with a focus on education opportunities and;

(5) Recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that the site of the Higher Bebington Library be appropriated by the Council for educational purposes in the event that 

 (a) a viable business case for its use for educational purposes is established; and

  (b) matters relating to the covenant on the land imposed by Leverhulme Estates is resolved.

(6) If a viable business plan for educational use of Higher Bebington Library has not bee submitted within the relevant timescales, fully consider any other alternative options prior to pursuing demolition and if any viable options are submitted, report back to the committee on 25 January 2023.

(7) Present an update report(s) on the progress of all the Community Asset Transfer and/or asset transfers to a future meeting of this Committee including;

(a) the proposed heads of terms for the transfer of the libraries at Pensby and Prenton;

(b) any viable business plans for the Community Asset Transfer of the libraries at Wallasey Village, Irby, Woodchurch and Hoylake.

(8) Any surplus from the £500k capital and/or £282k revenue funds shown in table 4.2 be reserved for the Library element of any business plans involving the transfer of Bromborough Civic Centre, following Policy and Resources’ consideration of the Asset Strategy.

The recommendations within this report enable Committee to make decisions on the library assets that are in scope for Community Asset Transfer (CAT) as a result of the decisions taken by Councill when setting the 2022/23 Budget.

The report makes recommendations for transfer where the information supports that approach.

Where business plans are unviable, officers have re-engaged, with all those groups to explore if there are further steps that can be taken to create viable business plans based on the principle of exploring all options to secure CAT for the library assets and community benefit before looking at alternative options. The detail of this is set out in the report.

The recommendations contain suggested actions to be taken if viable business plans cannot be achieved so that members have all the information and options to make informed decisions on these assets.

Apart from the CAT process no other options were considered as this report follows on from resolutions agreed by this Committee at its meeting of 16 June 2022.

The report does however, set out options against each asset where a viable business plan is not achieved.