FRIENDS OF KINMEL BAY COMMUNITY LIBRARY
AGM THURSDAY MAY 25[th] , 2023
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
The last AGM for Friends of Kinmel Bay Community Library was in April 2018. Many things have changed since the New Trustees were elected, resignations, old faces re-elected. Which brings us to the present committee.
We have come through Covid not entirely unscathed, as new legislation regarding the running of charities both from the Charities Commission and the banks, proves to be both challenging and time consuming.
Just to re-cap in the purpose that the charity serves.
In 2015 we were approached by CCBC Library Service to take on Kinmel Bay Library for it to become a Community Library and for the friends to take on upkeep of the library building only. The library service would keep control of the library (books etc) and the staffing. We were given a 25year lease with a peppercorn rent and a review every 5 years. An opt out clause was included with either side giving a six-month notice should the venture not be successful. The town council supported this with a grant to get things started. In 2016 we became a charity.
Over the last three years the Local Council has supported the library service with a donation so that books and services don’t need to be cut. We need more people to join the library, use its services, take out books, these are the numbers that count.
The SLA (service Level agreement) by CCBC should have been reviewed in 2020/21 but was delayed because of covid, hence the request for group numbers and figures etc. These have been difficult to calculate as Library Members can now return or take out any books from any library, and of course membership is subject to GDPR.
GROUPS
The library now opens on a Saturday morning 10am-1pm. (run by volunteers)
We are in discussion with the two nursing homes in the area and CCBC’s Wellbeing Team to restart the dementia café.
We are hoping to start the book club (run by volunteers)
The children’s groups continue to use the library on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
LOOKING FORWARD
The future of the library depends on its footfall, and we feel that the general public are still hesitant about going out and mixing since covid.
We must put previous grievance’s aside and work together to make KINMEL BAY LIBRARY a place people want to visit and be made to feel welcome.
Anyone wishing to become a trustee can apply, but please note they must agree to go through DBS and credit checks as required by both the Charity Commission and the Bank.