| “Board members also agreed to delay the consultation process on a proposal to reduce library opening hours after it was stated that savings
envisaged under these proposals may not be adequate, if the Service is to operate within budget during the 2005-08 period.
“Consultation will take place after the Board is notified by DCAL of the actual budget allocation and a wider range of options may be considered.
“Members were updated on the financial allocation the SELB Library Service could anticipate next year and the budget it will be expected to operate within is much less generous than expected.
“Although the actual budget allocation may not be confirmed until February, Board members heard that the SELB Library Service could anticipate a budget increase in the next financial year of 5% on the 2004/05 allocation.
“Board members were told that this increase will not be sufficient to meet increased Library Service costs.”
At their November Board meeting, SELB members agreed to defer a decision on proposed changes to library opening hours in order to have consultation, with the matter being referred back to the Board's Library Committee.
The Library Committee considered the consultation procedure when it met on November 23. However, at the full Board meeting on Thursday, December 16, members heard that, following the Library Committee meeting of November 23, Library Service officers had been in contact with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure when an indication had been given of the 5% budget increase for the next financial year (05-06). It was agreed that the membership of the delegation which will seek a meeting with the DCAL Minister would be the Library Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman and the Chief
Librarian.
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