New library &
Learning Centre
The aim of these proposals is to provide a brand-new multi-partner facility at a prominent town centre gateway to connect people with local opportunities that will lead to skills development, the raising of aspirations and attainment of meaningful employment. In the design section, you will find more transparent and open frontages to make the library feel more open and connecting with the surrounding public realm.
The building will provide a home for Library and Registration Services, Adult Community Learning and the University of Essex’s new Centre for Coastal Communities as well as a number of other local organisations who work in partnership with ECC’s services.
Submitting a name proposal for the new Clacton Library Building
We are inviting people to submit proposals for the name of the new building – it is important that the local community feel a sense of ownership of and pride in the new centre, which will be accessible to all, and we want to strongly encourage people to use and enjoy these 21st century facilities. The name of the building will be a key part of how it will be marketed to various audiences, and it needs to reflect the aspirations it aims to promote amongst those who use it. The building will be a beacon for Clacton, signalling the start of the transformative regeneration of the town in future years, and a place where people can truly recognise and develop their potential.
Please fill out this form to submit your name proposal. This ensures that all suggestions can be considered by the independent review panel in an equitable way.
There are three parts to the form – details of the person/organisation submitting the proposal, the proposed name itself and the accompanying rationale that needs to demonstrate how the suggestion meets the criteria (see below). All parts of the template need to be completed in order for the proposal to be submitted to the independent panel for formal consideration as part of the shortlisting and decision process.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 7 August 2024.
What criteria do I need to consider?
The building will potentially have a long lifespan (the existing Library was built in 1967, replacing the original library that was built in Pier Avenue in 1877 and the subsequent one that was part of the Town Hall complex opened in 1931).
Over time, names can become old fashioned, lose resonance with the community or fall out of favour due to their connection with specific individuals etc, so the choice needs to be somewhat timeless.
The building’s proximity to other notable places in the vicinity (e.g. Town Hall) as well as its relationship with other well-known landmarks/prominent buildings in the town could also be considered. It is important that the new building reflects the value of Clacton’s heritage to local residents so you may also wish to refer to the timeline charting the history of Clacton : https://www.clactonhistory.co.uk/timeline-1871-2021/
Above and beyond the practical service delivery aspects of the building, to achieve the desired outcomes it’s primary functions will include:
-
A physical and metaphorical gateway to the next steps in a person’s life and creating social mobility pathways through skills development and better access to employment opportunities.
-
Providing information, support, advocacy and a place where people can come together to simply connect and feel integrated.
-
A place where the community’s needs and challenges will be listened to and understood, and where this intelligence will be translated into service delivery.
-
Colleagues will work with local policy makers to deliver social value and develop solutions in partnership.
-
Delivering flexible services where approaches to learning and community involvement can naturally evolve and respond to changes in the future.
Unfortunately, proposed names that are connected with someone still living cannot be considered. If the choice is based on a deceased person, the explanation for the choice must evidence the exceptional qualities this person displayed in their positive contribution to the development of Clacton and the lasting legacy they created. Additionally, the name should not cause contention within the community.
What happens after the proposal has been submitted?
Once the project consultation has closed on 7 August, all proposals will undergo an initial review to ensure that they meet the criteria that has been set. All successful proposals will then be submitted to the independent review panel for consideration and the preferred name will be selected for endorsement by ECC’s Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy. Once this decision has taken place, the chosen name will be publicised.