PEOPLE are being asked for their views on Leicester’s libraries, community centres and multi-service centres to help the city council ensure they meet the changing needs of the city now and in the future.
Over the next three months the council will be carrying out an in-depth assessment of people’s experience of and need for neighbourhood services. It will seek views through an online survey, focus groups and interviews.
As well as the centres, services under discussion will include the city council’s cultural and creative events and activities, online library services, and the health and well being programme offered via community buildings.
The council will be gathering data to find out where need is the greatest in the city, and whether current services meet that need. It will take into account the changing demographics in the city evidenced by the latest census, and the effects of moving to digital services.
Information obtained will be analysed and used to draft proposals for the future of Leicester’s neighbourhood services, which are expected to go out to public consultation in early 2024.
Asst city mayor for neighbourhood services Cllr Vi Dempster said: “We know that libraries, community centres and multi-service centres play an important role in the city, but we also know that a lot of people don’t currently use them.
“We last asked people for their views on neighbourhood services six years ago and a lot has changed since then. It’s important that we have a clear picture of who is using our services, what they think of them, and what they want to see offered in the future. We will then use this information to make sure we have a service fit for the future needs of a changing city.”
The community services and libraries’ needs assessment survey will run from 3 July to 24 September, and can be found on the council’s website here: Community Services and Library Needs Assessment 2023 - Leicester City Council - Citizen Space
People wishing to take part in the focus groups will be able to put their name forward when completing the survey.
Paper copies will be available in neighbourhood buildings, and copies can be made available in other languages on request.