Agenda item

To receive the report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted the report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services updating the Committee on these three current Barbican and Community Libraries building projects:

-        Barbican Community Meeting Room (The Bostock Room)

-        Barbican Library Refresh

-        Shoe Lane Library temporary move and redevelopment.

Members noted the delays to the Barbican Library projects due to financial and staff resourcing, noting that the support of the Barbican Renewal Team has enabled both projects to progress.

The Committee noted that work on the Bostock Room is due to start in August 2025.

Members heard that the Section 106 agreement for the redevelopment of Hill House has been signed off by the City of London Corporation’s planning team and Landsec, and that work has begun to adapt units at One New Change to the specifications for the temporary library with Shoe Lane Library expected to be moved to One New Change in November 2025, with reopening by January 2026.

On libraries, a Member sought confirmation that sufficient capacity is still available for children’s services provision and extension where appropriate, and that books would still be accessible as far as possible. The meeting noted that the libraries service is working hard to ensure that sufficient provision and expansion capability is available, noting also that access is a key consideration.

On the Bostock Room refurbishment, a Member asked for confirmation of its completion and whether resident adults would be able to access the space free of charge. The meeting noted that a phased refurbishment project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and that the room is mainly for hire to generate income.