A presentation about the engagement programme including links to the online survey, was made to Cumberland Council’s Senior Leadership Team / Executive Members (Joint Leadership Team (JLT)), and Directorate Management Teams from March 2025 onwards.
All 46 elected Councillors were invited to one of 3 online seminars, which engaged with the members of the 8 Community Panels and the Business and Resources Scrutiny Committee. All Councillors were invited to complete the public survey and share it amongst constituents.
Feedback from these meetings highlighted the contribution libraries already make to enabling the Councils’ priorities, given their direct accessibility and contact with residents and their local communities.
Cumberland Council takes a fresh approach to the delivery of inclusive services that are shaped by our residents and communities.
By enabling positive outcomes for health and wellbeing, prosperity and the environment we will fulfil the potential of our people and our area.
Our ambitions are to:
There was a strong appetite to build on existing library services and develop them to support the council’s Prevention Approach and a desire to see greater presence of other council services being accessible in libraries, including access to customer services.
Interest was expressed in extending the use of library buildings to contribute to the Council’s Community Hub model.
The council vision for Cumberland Community Hubs is as follows:
“Community Hubs in Cumberland offer welcoming and accessible spaces within the heart of our diverse communities, where residents can access key public and third sector services to meet their needs and positively impact their wellbeing.”
Given the Council’s libraries already provide a wide range of Information, advice and guidance and work closely with their communities, it was expressed that it would be desirable to continue to develop existing library buildings as key spaces for the public to get greater access to more supports that will enable them to live healthier, better and more sustainable lives.
Councillors expressed an interest in a more tailored, coproduced and collaborative approach to developing services within the council’s panel areas linked to locally identified priorities.
They recognised libraries provide a great opportunity for direct and personal engagement with local communities and residents and were keen to support the wider promotion of library service and asked for consideration to be given to improved access to library services for deprived and vulnerable residents, particularly those in rural communities.
Council officers recognised the importance of libraries and the opportunity to use their relationship with their local communities and residents to build stronger relationships and connections and also considered ways in which the library service could contribute to supporting their customers.
Key outcomes included: