Protests as 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 locations.

Talks 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".

Ms 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 Suffolk Libraries, 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".

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