Libraries to come under Suffolk County Council control once again after negotiations break down

Libraries could once again come under council control after negotiations broke down with a provider due to 'serious concerns' about its viability.

The service has been run by the Suffolk Libraries charity since 2012 when Suffolk County Council divested from it due to austerity cuts.

Procurement for the contract, for six years with the possibility to extend it a further six at a total price tag of £80 million, started last year.

However, it was abandoned after the bidder changed their bid during the process, leading the council to attempt to agree to negotiate a direct award with Suffolk Libraries before talks broke down.

Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton, the lead for environment, communities and equality, said bringing libraries in-house was 'the right thing to do'.

He said: “The future of Suffolk’s 45 libraries will be in safe hands as part of our plans to protect and enhance the service.

"We know how important library services are to residents, particularly those who rely on them for education, access to information, support and, of course, books.

"The only way to guarantee certainty for our residents, to keep those 45 sites open, retain those hours, and invest in the service it's for it to come in-house."

According to the council, negotiations for a shorter contract broke down because Suffolk Libraries was unwilling to agree to the authority's terms and proposed others which were not acceptable or were unlawful.

The authority said the charity's proposal would have seen a reduction in opening hours by 30 per cent.

On top of this, SCC outlined 'serious concerns' about the viability of the charity with its head office, including senior managers, costing a third of their annual bill.

There are currently 420 staff members delivering the service, 364 of which are frontline roles.

The council said it would protect the frontline roles but said it was a 'fair assumption' there would be job losses, although a specific number was not revealed.

Gemma Levi, the authority's strategic lead for libraries, said: "We have assessed all other options and this is the only option available to us and we must protect the library services.

"We feel that there are many savings that can be made in the areas that should be made and not in our frontline services.

"It's our job here to protect frontline services not protect organisations, that's what we're in the business of doing."

Alongside the proposals, which will be discussed during the March 18 cabinet meeting, is an extra £375,000 investment into replacing ageing mobile libraries, new books, and public computers.

Cllr Simon Harley, the spokesperson for the opposition Green, Liberal Democrat, and Independent group, said it was unsurprising Suffolk Libraries was unable to provide the service the charity was required to because its budget hadn't significantly increased in the last 10 years.

He added: "Local communities have had to support libraries with fundraising via Friends groups, and we will seek assurances that any money raised locally will be used to continue to support the local branch.

"My group have, up until today, been constantly asking questions about what will happen and have been kept at arm’s length by the Conservative administration and given no information at all.

"The county council’s position is only one version of events – we are sure Suffolk Libraries will update the public from their perspective.”

Suffolk Libraries has been approached for comment.