Ten city libraries face axe
Plympton and Plymstock libraries would be among just seven left in the city if a major shake-up of the service is given the green light. If the closures go ahead the only libraries left in the city would be Central Library, Crownhill, Devonport, Plympton, Plymstock, St Budeaux and Southway. Those under threat of closure are Efford, Eggbuckland, Ernesettle, Estover, Laira, North Prosepct, Peverell, Stoke, Tothill and West Park.
• Modernise or refurbish buildings where needed, including the redevelopment of St Budeaux Library, where there has not been any significant investment for a number of years • Enhance online services to offer a wider range of eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines
The city's libraries employ the full time equivalent of more than 80 staff, with a cost per library visit varying dramatically - from 93p to more than £28.
• Create a new outreach offer, providing a wide range of services in settings within communities and expanding the Home Library Service for housebound users.
People are being asked to share their views on plans to transform the way library services are delivered in Plymouth.
Councillor Glenn Jordan, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “The way people use library services is changing but we haven’t altered our library network in more than 15 years. Trying to operate 17 libraries is unsustainable, is a drain on our resources and limits our ability to offer the quality of service that we know is possible.
The proposals have led to a storm of protest and online campaigns have been launched at www.facebook.com/ SavePlymLibraries and www.change.org/p/cllr-glennjordan-stop-the-closure-of-libraries-in-plymouth The council has produced a draft Plan for Libraries that aims to modernise Plymouth’s library services over the next three years so they better meet the needs of local communities and make better use of resources. Plymouth has a network of 17 libraries but there are big differences in the services they offer and many are under-used and expensive to run. Just seven libraries account for 80 per cent of all library visits and 75 per cent of all items borrowed. Visitor numbers and lending figures are also falling – as they are nationally – and the council needs to find more flexible, cost-effective and convenient ways of providing services that can adapt to customers’ changing needs. The Plan for Libraries 2017 to 2020 takes into account feedback received during the recent Library Conversation, as well as a detailed assessment of community needs, user figures and the condition and sustainability of library buildings. The plan proposes to close 10 library buildings that are under-used and expensive to run and invest in improving the others, as well as enhance online and outreach services. It will allow the council to: • Keep busier libraries open and ensure that the majority of Plymouth residents live within two miles of a library building
“Many of our libraries are under-used with little or no scope for development but changes in technology mean we don’t need to be constrained by our buildings; services can be delivered online and out in communities. "Opening hours and library offerings are inconsistent across the city and thinly spread staff means we can’t always deliver the service our customers need. “The draft plan sets out a future for library services that will ensure all our buildings are modern and fit-forpurpose, as well as provide an exciting online offer, available 24/7 and a wide-ranging outreach service that can be more responsive to community needs. The draft Plan for Libraries is a proposal at this stage and no decisions have been made. Consultation starts on Wednesday January 25 and the council is encouraging everyone to have their say. The plan will be available online and in all libraries and there will be public meetings and drop-in sessions where people can share their views and ask questions. To view the plan and make comments visit www.plymouth. gov.uk/planforlibraries. Consultation will open at run until Wednesday April 19. Public meetings to discuss the plans will be held at the Central Library on February 2 from 6pm to 8pm; February 21 from 10am to 11.30am and April 5 from 4pm to 5.30pm. Drop in sessions will held on various dates at the other 16 libraries.
LITTER PICK BAGS 22 SACKS OF RUBBISH A litter pick pioneered by Janet Skinner and members of the Plympton St Maurice Civic Association has amassed a whopping 22 sacks of rubbish.
The Association is now considering doing local litter picks on a quarterly basis. Picture: Some of the litter pickers with sacks of rubbish collected in the Pathfields area. Picture courtesy of the Plympton St Maurice Civic Association.
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The candidates have been announced for the next Stannator of Plympton. They are Carol Penhallurick, general secretary of the Plympton Gardeners' Association, and Andrew Hill, founder of the Plympton Podcast and station manager of Plymouth's Hospital Radio station.
Mrs Penhallurick started her life in the old part of Longcause before her family moved to St Maurice when the new estate at Hele Gardens was built. She served on the Woodford School PTA for many years, spent 10 years on the committee of the 3rd Plympton Scouts where she was awarded the silver badge for long service. She later became involved in the Plympton Gardeners' Association, spending four years as show secretary and has been their General Secretary for the past 10 years. Mr Hill has lived in Plympton for the past 24 years, has been involved with Hospital Radio for 34 years and has been the manager of the station for almost 10 years. He founded the
Andrew Hill
Carol Penhallurick
Plympton Podcast in 2013 and has grown it to have more than 2000 online followers and has produced more than 40 hours of audio material related to Plympton.
The Community Council is made up of representatives from scores of organisations within Plympton, including charities, voluntary groups, Women's Institutes, Plympton U3A, churches and local city Councillors.
Nominations for Stannator are submitted to the Plympton Community Council by January 8 each year. Nominations must be seconded and submitted with a short CV from the nominee setting out their activities and achievements within Plympton and confirmation from the candidate that they are willing to stand.
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Those community groups are now discussing who they wish their representative to vote for and the winning candidate will be announced after a secret ballot to be held at the Plympton Community Council AGM in March. The new Stannator will take office from June 2017 for a period of a year.
POLICE INVESTIGATE ATTACKS ON ‘MR HIGGINS’ Plympton Police are investigating a series of attacks on the local feline population and in particular a cat in Chaddlewood called ‘Mr Higgins’. During the past six months ‘Mr Higgins’ has been the victim of numerous acts of deliberate poisoning and in the latest attack he arrived home covered in an unknown liquid. This has caused a great deal of upset to the family who own him although fortunately he has made a full recovery. Plympton’s Neighbourhood Beat Manager, PC Greg Rendle, said: “I am aware of numerous similar incidents around the Kingston Drive area of Chaddlewood over the last year or so. Some of the cats have not be so lucky and have had to be put to sleep. “I am particularly keen to hear from anyone that may have information that could assist me in this enquiry. “Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Anyone identified as being responsible for this and any other incidents involving cats can expect a visit from me.” Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting CR/006232/17. Alternatively PC Rendle can be contaced by private message through Plympton Police’s Facebook page. Meanwhile PC Rendle is being kept busy as he is also involved in an investigation into a burglary which occurred at Woodford church overnight Thursday January 19.
The community litter pick took place around St Maurice village with the focus on the Pathfields. A party of more than 16 adults and children plus two dogs helped clear the top car park on Pathfields down to the field with pond.
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It is believed the suspects gained entry through an unsecure fire exit door. Fortunately nothing was stolen but a small amount of damage was caused to a window. PC Rendle added: “Woodford Church is used by
Mr Higgins
numerous members of the community young and old and this is particularly upsetting for all the volunteers that give up their own time to provide various different activities to the Woodford community. “If anyone has seen anything suspicious or indeed sees any suspicious activity in the future please contact me at Plympton police station on 101@dc.police.uk or call 101 quoting crime number CR/005594/17.”
Animal charity closes Plympton shop A Devon animal charity has closed its shop in Plympton Ridgeway, less than a year after opening it.
"Usually we like to keep a new shop open for 12-18 months but with current financial pressures the premises in Plympton was sadly costing us too much to run.
The Mare & Foal Sanctuary opened a shop in the upper end of the Ridgeway Shopping precinct in 2016 but it closed just before Christmas.
"We want to take the opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers and customers for their support over the last year."
Kate Hall, press and publicity officer for the Mare & Foal Sanctuary, said: "Unfortunately we had to take the decision to close our Plympton charity shop, along with our Brixham shop.
The charity's nearest remaining shop to Plympton is now in South Brent. (Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)