Latest news with #SuffolkLibraries
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
What will Suffolk council library takeover mean?
Library services in Suffolk are set to be taken back under control by the county council on Sunday. An independent charity had been running them for the previous 12 years. What will the change mean for people? Why is this happening? Suffolk Libraries had run the service since 2012 across 45 to renew its contract with the council started in November but broke down in Faircloth-Mutton, the Conservative councillor responsible for libraries, said he "no longer had confidence in Suffolk Libraries' financial viability or management".Bruce Leeke, chief executive of Suffolk Libraries, said his team was "incredibly shocked" and "disappointed".The council said the charity had proposed unacceptable terms, including reducing opening hours by 30%.Faircloth-Mutton also raised concerns about the cost of the charity's head office and senior Leeke responded: "We currently have one of the best run library services in the country which has saved millions of pounds of taxpayers' money." What was the reaction? About 23,000 people signed a petition opposing the move and protests were held outside the council's headquarters and some libraries. Rachel Wood, a library user from Newmarket, said she was "horrified" by the decision."We must not let Suffolk County Council throw something away that has helped so many people," she said. Opposition councillors opposed the Conservative-led council's Green, Liberal Democrat and independent group said a public consultation should have been held, while Labour questioned how the change would save supported the council's decision and said services were best run and delivered by the Dorsett, Unison's eastern regional organiser, said the union wanted to ensure "terms and conditions remain protected". Will libraries be closing? The council says no, they have no plans to close any of the libraries and opening hours will not change. Faircloth- Mutton said that services would be "as usual"."Sites will be open, mobile library vans will be touring our villages and it will be the service that people know and love across Suffolk." What could change? Branding appears to be the main thing. Logos are likely to change, as are some contact details like email addresses. The council said there would be some new social media accounts with others rebranded and there would be a new will not need a new library card, their current one will work, however when they expire different ones will be said there would be an investment of "£200,000 in mobile libraries, with a further £157,000 for new books". Will jobs be lost? Potentially. The council says that staff contracts are being moved over, so employees will now work for the said that the jobs of frontline staff would be "maintained", however there would be a review of the "back office in general".He said that would involve "systems, processes and staff".When asked by the BBC if a review would potentially mean job losses, he said: "A review is a review." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council library takeover challenges blocked
Two call-in challenges against a county council over its plan to bring library services back under the authority's control have been rejected. Since 2012, libraries in Suffolk have been managed by independent charity Suffolk Libraries but now the Conservative-run Suffolk County Council is taking over the running of the 45 sites. It has seen a public dispute between the charity and the authority, with a petition against the move being signed 23,000 times and a protest taking place. The opposition Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent (GLI) group and the Labour group had lodged separate challenges but the council rejected both. Call-in challenges can be lodged by councillors against council decisions. A monitoring officer, who is employed by the council in a non-political role, decides whether the challenge can progress. If allowed, the council's scrutiny committee would debate the issue. In the case here both challenges were deemed 'not allowed' on all points. The GLI argument centred around four points: Whether the contract with Suffolk Libraries could have been extended for a period while the council retendered the contract If financial costs had been 'properly scoped' That councillors received the full background information for the decision too late to prepare a response That the decision should have been subject to a public consultation. Simon Harley, the group spokesperson for communities, said: "It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Conservative administration has rejected a more independent scrutiny of this decision, also ignoring the massive petition from the people of Suffolk on legalistic grounds. "We have no further options available to us to overturn this, but the people of Suffolk will remember this flawed decision and likely regret it for many years to come." The Labour challenge raised similar points but also suggested the time left until the council takes control on 1 June would be "extremely challenging" and raised concerns that vulnerable people who use library services may see those stopped. Labour group leader Sandy Martin said: "The Conservative council claim that all the relevant information needed to make a sensible decision was in the reports shown to the meeting. "But the fact remains that they have never explained in detail how county council employees, on higher salaries, working for a council department that will not have charitable status, can deliver a better library service for less money than Suffolk Libraries have done." A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: "The way our cabinet reached the decision to bring Suffolk's libraries back in house has now been thoroughly reviewed. "This means that any suggestions that the decision was not taken properly have been rejected. "We will now focus on keeping all 45 libraries open, maintaining current opening hours, bringing libraries staff back to the Suffolk County Council family and continuing our investment in library services." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Suffolk council library takeover challenges blocked
Two call-in challenges against a county council over its plan to bring library services back under the authority's control have been 2012, libraries in Suffolk have been managed by independent charity Suffolk Libraries but now the Conservative-run Suffolk County Council is taking over the running of the 45 has seen a public dispute between the charity and the authority, with a petition against the move being signed 23,000 times and a protest taking opposition Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent (GLI) group and the Labour group had lodged separate challenges but the council rejected both. Call-in challenges can be lodged by councillors against council decisions. A monitoring officer, who is employed by the council in a non-political role, decides whether the challenge can progress. If allowed, the council's scrutiny committee would debate the the case here both challenges were deemed 'not allowed' on all points. The GLI argument centred around four points:Whether the contract with Suffolk Libraries could have been extended for a period while the council retendered the contractIf financial costs had been 'properly scoped' That councillors received the full background information for the decision too late to prepare a responseThat the decision should have been subject to a public Harley, the group spokesperson for communities, said: "It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Conservative administration has rejected a more independent scrutiny of this decision, also ignoring the massive petition from the people of Suffolk on legalistic grounds. "We have no further options available to us to overturn this, but the people of Suffolk will remember this flawed decision and likely regret it for many years to come." The Labour challenge raised similar points but also suggested the time left until the council takes control on 1 June would be "extremely challenging" and raised concerns that vulnerable people who use library services may see those group leader Sandy Martin said: "The Conservative council claim that all the relevant information needed to make a sensible decision was in the reports shown to the meeting. "But the fact remains that they have never explained in detail how county council employees, on higher salaries, working for a council department that will not have charitable status, can deliver a better library service for less money than Suffolk Libraries have done." A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: "The way our cabinet reached the decision to bring Suffolk's libraries back in house has now been thoroughly reviewed. "This means that any suggestions that the decision was not taken properly have been rejected. "We will now focus on keeping all 45 libraries open, maintaining current opening hours, bringing libraries staff back to the Suffolk County Council family and continuing our investment in library services." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
On this day: Online exhibition shows how libraries adapted during pandemic
On this day in 2021, the East Anglian Daily Times reported that an online art exhibition provided a unique insight into the experiences of libraries before and during the Covid-19 crisis. Suffolk Libraries collaborated with illustrator and printmaker Sandy Horsley, who dedicated a year to visiting 13 Suffolk libraries, capturing unseen moments between customers and staff. The project commenced in 2019 but faced interruptions during the first lockdown when libraries were closed. Sandy Horsley captured what it was like for customers in libraries during and before Covid-19 (Image: Suffolk Libraries) Ms Horsley resumed her visits once the libraries reopened, resulting in a compelling snapshot of how library staff and customers adapted during the pandemic. She said: "In month six of the project, we had to pause because of the Covid-19 pandemic but, after the first lockdown, restrictions were relaxed and libraries were able to open again. "So, there I was in the library sketching in my mask and visor. "What I observed was very moving. "Customers were obviously really pleased to be back in the library and speak to someone and get some support. "It really brought home the importance of libraries and the additional services they offer." "Throughout the lockdown, libraries were invaluable in being that fourth emergency service. "They are extraordinary places, run by and visited by extraordinary people." Ms Horsley's work was exhibited at Ipswich County Library, it was accessible through an interactive virtual exhibition. [From the East Anglian Daily Times of March 25, 2021]
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Protests as Suffolk library services taken back by council
A library service run independently for the past 12 years has been taken back under council control. Suffolk County Council's cabinet decided unanimously the service should revert back to council ownership from 1 June. Philip Faircloth-Mutton, responsible for the library services at the Conservative-led authority, said there was "no other credible or legal solution available" to protect all 45 libraries. Protesters gathered outside the cabinet meeting at Endeavour House in Ipswich. Rachel Wood, a library user from Newmarket, said she was "horrified" by the decision. Independent charity Suffolk Libraries had run the service since 2012 across 45 to renew its contract with the council started in November but broke down in February. The council said the charity had proposed unacceptable terms, including reducing hours by 30%. The council also raised concerns about the cost of the service's head office and senior managers. The library service disputed the claims over the costs of senior managers. At the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Faircloth-Mutton said the decision was not taken "lightly" but felt there was "no other choice".He told the meeting "extensive negotiations" had taken place with the library service but there was no "confidence in Suffolk Libraries' financial viability or management" . The move has met with opposition from library service users and supporters. A petition set up by Suffolk Libraries patron and former BBC Radio Suffolk broadcaster Lesley Dolphin has gained 22,000 signatures. Ms Dolphin asked the council meeting if the public's feelings would be taken into consideration. She was told by Faircloth-Mutton the petition had been dealt with "fairly" and in accordance to the "council's constitution". Rachel Wood, who was among a group of about 20 protesters who gathered before the meeting, said: "I have come all the way from Newmarket because it is really important. "We must not let Suffolk County Council throw something away that has helped so many people." Bruce Leeke, chief executive of the library service, said its finances were "rigorously managed".He said the council had "seen the finances every month" and asked: "Why has this suddenly become an issue?" After the decision was confirmed, Mr Leeke said "We are all devastated that the achievements and hard work of our staff, volunteers and supporters over the past 12-and-a-half years, coupled with the amazing support we've had over the past three weeks, have still not been enough to convince the county council to change its mind, or at least reconsider its proposal."The Labour group at Suffolk County Council has asked for the decision to be "called in" and reviewed by the scrutiny committee. This would need to be agreed by the council's monitoring officer. Unison supported the council's decision and said services were best run and delivered by the authority. Winston Dorsett, Unison's eastern regional organiser, said the union wanted to ensure "terms and conditions remain protected". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
