Enterprise Centre proposals remain under review

The proposals will now be debated at the meeting on 2 June, where the committee will also hear feedback from the wider Cambridgeshire Libraries Review consultation, which has been extended to run until 10 May to allow full comments to be made on the Enterprise Centre proposals. The decision also means the previous decision from 17 March is void.

Proposals were put forward in March to make a range of changes to the library, in particular to introduce an Enterprise Centre on part of the third floor.  This would offer a range of opportunities for job seekers, learners and entrepreneurs with events to improve skills and employability. It would also create a space for start-up businesses, individuals and mobile businesses to work, meet and share ideas.  The Enterprise Centre will also provide an income to support the broader library services.

In January, councillors agreed a way forward for the whole service to look at ways to transform in order to make tough financial savings and respond to future trends. The library service needs to transform in order to make savings of more than £1.8million over the next three years.

Local people are encouraged to help shape the future direction of the library service in Cambridgeshire by taking part in the consultation to give their views on priorities and the Council’s suggested way forward – which includes the proposals for an enterprise centre. The survey is available online here and paper copies will be in libraries later this week.

Responses to the consultation survey will help inform more detailed proposals for the library service, which will be taken to a Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee later in the summer. There will then be a second round of consultation.
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