Suffolk libraries interim board members named; Clive Fox

THE chairman and first board members have been appointed to the organisation that is set to take over the management of Suffolk’s libraries in April.

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An Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) is being set up to manage the county’s libraries and to involve local groups in running their own branches.

Chairman Clive Fox and board members Mike Hosking and Shona Bendix are the first of eight people appointed to the new body.

Mr Fox currently chairs the community group taking on the running and development of Aldeburgh library and since 1993 has held director level positions for Groundwork – a national charity working with government, councils and businesses to help communities to renew environments and improve employment prospects.

Until recently, Mr Hosking was director of libraries, learning and culture at Cambridgeshire County Council and was a founding member of the national sector skills council for learning and libraries. He is also a trustee of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. Ms Bendix has been the Suffolk Association of Local Councils’ (SALC) chief executive for six years, supporting town and parish councils across Suffolk with training and advice.

Suffolk County Council is inviting nominations from community library groups to fill four other interim board positions.

Candidates will go through a selection process and be appointed by the county council. Nominations and applications must be received by Sunday, January 22.

The eighth position on the interim board will be filled by a staff representative, also appointed via a nomination process. The county council will also appoint an observer.

The interim board will be responsible for establishing and launching the new IPS. It will oversee the transfer of library staff and the negotiation of the contract with Suffolk County Council. The interim board will be replaced by a board elected by IPS members within 18 months.

Mr Fox said: “Overwhelming public support for our library services led the county council to give priority to sustaining a comprehensive service despite the acute economic pressures it was facing. That’s the right decision, but now we must make sure the new community partnership-based service delivers. I’ve taken on this challenge because I believe it is the way forward for public services. ”

SCC will retain its statutory responsibility for library services and will continue to be accountable for ensuring a county-wide network is provided. It will also retain sufficient in-house libraries expertise to ensure the council’s legal duties are met.