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.