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Sage
07-May-10, 14:32
Ok, this is likely to get removed...

but before it does I urge you all to read the budget consultations..

http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/blog/

there are some crackers, including in the "futher ideas" document getting rid of SEVEN school librarians, as well as reducing the library service, arts get a hitting too as well as the Out of Eden project.

Both docs are very scary to read.

(this is a kind of continuation of the thread talking about Wick library)

Puzzled
07-May-10, 17:04
Ok, this is likely to get removed...

but before it does I urge you all to read the budget consultations..

http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/blog/

there are some crackers, including in the "futher ideas" document getting rid of SEVEN school librarians, as well as reducing the library service, arts get a hitting too as well as the Out of Eden project.

Both docs are very scary to read.

(this is a kind of continuation of the thread talking about Wick library)

How will they choose which School Librarians to get rid of?

redeyedtreefrog
07-May-10, 18:03
surely they have to make cuts somewhere?

Sage
07-May-10, 18:28
yes, but take a closer look at the cuts.

Soon there will be no drama/arts provision in the north,
no libraries (inc mobiles) for reading/research/community,
school librarians DONT just stamp books- they encourage kids to learn and how to learn,
provision for the eldderly is in there,
swimming pools if you have to drive 1/2 to get to one (oop there goes Caithness & Sutherland)
oh and in with a long list of other things....cutting back on road repairs!

Have a good read and see whats in there

sandyr1
07-May-10, 21:40
surely they have to make cuts somewhere?

I know I am not in Scotland now, but I think many Countries are in the same boat! Perhaps cuts in Iraq or Afghanistan would be a good start!
It seems Germany is one of the Countries baling out Greece, but I was reading an article today where many German Towns/ Cities are nearly bankrupt.
Perhaps I am over simplifying things.....

Rictina
07-May-10, 22:08
A very intresting read, thanks for posting.

Puzzled
11-May-10, 12:52
A chance to voice an opinion :roll: http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/blog/

Alice in Blunderland
11-May-10, 22:34
Lybster folks this will be handy for posting your views on the loss of your janitor !! :D

theone
11-May-10, 22:50
Arts and libraries is where I'd make the cuts to be honest.

ducati
11-May-10, 23:25
Will this help at all?

http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?p=703808#post703808

theone
11-May-10, 23:27
I know I am not in Scotland now, but I think many Countries are in the same boat! Perhaps cuts in Iraq or Afghanistan would be a good start!
It seems Germany is one of the Countries baling out Greece, but I was reading an article today where many German Towns/ Cities are nearly bankrupt.
Perhaps I am over simplifying things.....

Germany are the 2nd biggest exporter in the world, just behind China.

Because they share a currency with Greece, a collapse of the Greek economy would damage theirs.

Germany aren't bailing out Greece out of goodness. They're doing it to save their economy.

Moira
12-May-10, 00:12
Arts and libraries is where I'd make the cuts to be honest.

Any idea of where you would start or end with this?

I've not studied the report in great detail but I always struggle when cuts in budget are mentioned regarding arts, culture, music, libraries etc. across our diverse and (in places) sparsely populated region. It would appear to be the soft option and one which most folk are willing to accept given the current economic climate.

In my opinion that's a pity. I'd rather drive more carefully over a few potholes in the road, gritting my teeth to preserve my smile and save my fillings than accept any more cutbacks than are already in place in this sector. :D

theone
12-May-10, 00:22
Any idea of where you would start or end with this?

I've not studied the report in great detail but I always struggle when cuts in budget are mentioned regarding arts, culture, music, libraries etc. across our diverse and (in places) sparsely populated region. It would appear to be the soft option and one which most folk are willing to accept given the current economic climate.

In my opinion that's a pity. I'd rather drive more carefully over a few potholes in the road, gritting my teeth to preserve my smile and save my fillings than accept any more cutbacks than are already in place in this sector. :D

No idea where I'd start or end to be honest, but the fact is that we need to make cuts.

Mine wouldn't be on the roads. They are vital for remote communities, not to mention the safety aspect. Most of us use the roads, not the libraries.

I haven't used a library in years and I don't know anyone who does. How many books are borrowed from Thurso/Wick libraries in a week? Enough to justify the cost? Could we offer a central postal system instead?

I value the archive sections of our libraries but see no reason why they couldn't be moved somewhere else. Museums maybe?

However I'm sure there's other areas that could provide savings.

horseman
12-May-10, 07:09
Any idea of where you would start or end with this?

I've not studied the report in great detail but I always struggle when cuts in budget are mentioned regarding arts, culture, music, libraries etc. across our diverse and (in places) sparsely populated region. It would appear to be the soft option and one which most folk are willing to accept given the current economic climate.

In my opinion that's a pity. I'd rather drive more carefully over a few potholes in the road, gritting my teeth to preserve my smile and save my fillings than accept any more cutbacks than are already in place in this sector. :D

Go along with you on that Moira, an at the same time swing with (the one)
Thank God I am not the one to set out out they rules!!!
Nothing is easy in life baby-x

Alice in Blunderland
12-May-10, 09:02
No idea where I'd start or end to be honest, but the fact is that we need to make cuts.

Mine wouldn't be on the roads. They are vital for remote communities, not to mention the safety aspect. Most of us use the roads, not the libraries.

I haven't used a library in years and I don't know anyone who does. How many books are borrowed from Thurso/Wick libraries in a week? Enough to justify the cost? Could we offer a central postal system instead?

I value the archive sections of our libraries but see no reason why they couldn't be moved somewhere else. Museums maybe?

However I'm sure there's other areas that could provide savings.

We will all no doubt support a cut in an area where it least affects us as an individual IMHO.

The new high school proposal had within it a library which could be used by both school children and public which to me is a way forward.

Move libraries into educational institutes and have them open to both students and public no loss of service just more financially viable. :)

Alice in Blunderland
12-May-10, 09:04
In the case of music tuition I would support a rise in the fees if it meant we could keep the service but not everyone can afford that however would it not be better to try this option first for a trial period to see if it will help maintain the service rather than scrapping it and loosing valuable teachers in the process. :confused

cuddlepop
12-May-10, 09:09
We will all no doubt support a cut in an area where it least affects us as an individual IMHO.

The new high school proposal had within it a library which could be used by both school children and public which to me is a way forward.

Move libraries into educational institutes and have them open to both students and public no loss of service just more financially viable. :)


While I agree its seems economical to have school libarys included in the new school build,a word of warning;
no school pupils are allowed in the "commumity" library during study leave over here.:confused

They can say we're being consultated but as usual everything done and dusted.
£250.000 on new facilities at KIlmuir primary school before "public have agreed to close Uig primary.
Boradale handed over to community for "projects" before "public" agreement.
Dont you just love being"consulted".;)

Alice in Blunderland
12-May-10, 10:29
Dont you just love being"consulted".;)

Ahhh but it must tick a box somewhere. ;)

If they can say they consulted then box ticked.

They dont have to act on it or take on the oppinion of the public because hey they are the important ones with all the knowledge and power to bring the Highlands forward into the next centuary................. we on the other hand are just the electorate who put them where they are. :eek:

Puzzled
12-May-10, 17:00
While I agree its seems economical to have school libarys included in the new school build,a word of warning;
no school pupils are allowed in the "commumity" library during study leave over here.:confused

Have also heard that in some joint libraries the public are excluded when being used by pupils.

Sage
12-May-10, 19:56
and what about the School librarian? Where does she fit into this...will she be expected to run a joint public/school library?

People dont JUST borrow books from libraries. I have to admit I get really hacked off when people asked why you need a degree to stamp books :eek:

We are much too much of an easy target up here...Inverness will make everything available centrally and we'll have to travel for everything...more than we do now.

The arts/libraries sector is MUCH too easy a target, but without it a commmunity can die (or boredom if nothing else)

As for consultation...as the budget thing is there for everyone to see (as long as they know that it's there and can be bothered to read it and tell the council what they think) they can saw we HAVE been consulted [evil]

Puzzled
12-May-10, 21:27
and what about the School librarian? Where does she fit into this...will she be expected to run a joint public/school library?

Problem is that the vast majority of people do not realize what a School Librarian does. How many councillors can say that they have visited a school library [not talking about joint]? I bet not may - their idea will be as it was when they were in school! School Librarians are assets in schools - they are specialists - they cannot be replace easily.

Puzzled
12-May-10, 21:32
This has just been sent to me: :(


FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – School Libraries

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request relating to library and information services in the Highlands.

One of the options considered in order to potentially cut the cost of library and information services is combining the school librarians with the team of public librarians creating one professional team to deliver the professional tasks in both settings.

By consolidating the teams of professionals supported by sufficiently well skilled other staff, it is felt that there may be scope for reducing the overall number of professionally qualified librarians across the whole of the Highlands by seven posts. This involves a significant change in the current approach which sees a professional librarian in almost every secondary school doing both professional and non-professional work. This means that currently there are 18 secondary school librarians, 9 joint community/school librarians, 11 frontline librarians managing 40 public libraries and 9 mobile libraries supported by 5 specialist staff and local library assistants.

I would stress that this option is one which has only been considered by officers so far and would only advance to consideration by members if the eventual size of saving required from the library service required it.

Sage
12-May-10, 21:46
Thanks Puzzled :D

I think CILIP may be interested in that (they're the Body that represents librarians) It's something that has been happening a lot...as a profession librarians are not seen as professional anymore

It does look as though the savings will be made here doesnt it :(

Puzzled
12-May-10, 21:57
Thanks Puzzled :D

I think CILIP may be interested in that (they're the Body that represents librarians) It's something that has been happening a lot...as a profession librarians are not seen as professional anymore

It does look as though the savings will be made here doesnt it :(

Can you send to CILIP?

Puzzled
12-May-10, 22:05
Just been reminded by a friend that School Librarians are paid through school capitation and not the LIBRARY SERVICE [didn't say what happens with joint].
Thought Highland signed up to the COSLA Standards for School Libraries in 2002 ie Chartered/Qualified Librarian in ALL Secondary Schools.

Sage
13-May-10, 09:09
you might be correct there.

Will contact CILIP I think, but I'm pretty sure you're right

Alice in Blunderland
14-May-10, 19:11
Is no-one else willing to sign up and offer opinions on these cuts. I have seen plenty of opinions expressed on these boards but its silent on the cuts blog !!


Come on folks its worth it just to have your say whether they take your opinion on board or not its worth a try. :D

Pouleriscaig
14-May-10, 20:11
It is hard for the many Council employees to comment as they have been told this week they are not allowed to do so or they will breach their code of conduct.

bagpuss
14-May-10, 20:20
back to charitable funding for the arts then- like it was back in the 1980's-early 90's.

Combined school libraries/local libraries are already in places like Nairn and Drumnadrochit

One possible area of concern- after Dunblane school security was tightened all over the UK-would one really want schools to reverse such a process.

But lets remember- tesco sell all the books that Caithness could possibly want: autobiographies of celebs/ junk fiction/ Nuts

Cuts are inevitable now- grit your teeth and bear it

Alice in Blunderland
14-May-10, 21:43
It is hard for the many Council employees to comment as they have been told this week they are not allowed to do so or they will breach their code of conduct.

We don't all work for the council this affects everyone not just council workers.
:)

Puzzled
14-May-10, 22:57
Combined school libraries/local libraries are already in places like Nairn and Drumnadrochit

Nairn is not a joint library!:roll:

catran
14-May-10, 23:15
We don't all work for the council this affects everyone not just council workers.
:)

Whatever next?? Why has council workers been told to refrain??? Is it big brother watching you????

Puzzled
15-May-10, 07:11
Whatever next?? Why has council workers been told to refrain??? Is it big brother watching you????

If they speak out they risk being sacked.