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'Time is slipping away for county library deal'

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
Vikki Irwin/BBC Andrew Stringer looks at the camera. He is bald with a long dark grey beard and glasses. He wears a grey suit with a green tie and a green lanyard around his neck.Vikki Irwin/BBC
Andrew Stringer hoped the contract for the county's library service would be completed soon

There are fears "time is slipping away" to negotiate who will run libraries in Suffolk, according to a council opposition leader.

Independent charity Suffolk Libraries has run the service since August 2012 which now has 45 locations.

The contract with the Conservative-run county council is due to run out on 31 May and a renewal deal has not yet been agreed.

Andrew Stringer, leader of the Greens, Liberal Democrats and independents at the county council, said the group hoped the deal would be concluded soon.

"We have concerns time is slipping away," he told the BBC.

"[We have] consistently asked for updates and though the updates have come, [the county council] have just been a holding position."

The inside of a library. Shelves of books sit at the edge of the room while tables, red chairs and sofas are placed in the middle. A person sits on a chair reading a newspaper while a standing man in a green top has his back to the camera.
Suffolk Libraries has run the county's service since 2012 and has 45 locations

In late 2023, the county council launched a public consultation to seek views on what residents wanted from the service once the Suffolk Libraries contract ran out.

It said it would undertake a "competitive procurement process ahead of offering a new contract" that was expected to be worth about £80m over 12 years.

The contract would initially be awarded to cover six years with the option to extend for a further six.

A spokesperson said the council wanted the "most advantageous provider" and to "ensure value for money for the taxpayer".

The new deal was due to be awarded in November, but in December, the council withdrew its contract from Suffolk Libraries.

The council is still in discussions with Suffolk Libraries and is not speaking to any other organisations.

George King/BBC A general view of Philip Faircloth-Mutton. He smiles at the camera while standing in front of a red brick wall. He has short dark hair and a beard. He wears a grey suit, a shirt and blue tie.George King/BBC
Philip Faircloth-Mutton said the council's priority was to "sustain and protect" the county's libraries

Philip Faircloth-Mutton, the cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said the council was "disappointed" it had not yet sorted the contract, as first reported by East Anglian Daily Times.

"This is because of difficulties in aligning bids with the service's requirements and budgets," he added.

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

"Our priority is and has always been to sustain and protect these vital services."

He said an announcement on the contract should be made next month.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Libraries also confirmed it was still in "active discussions" with the council.

"Whilst these discussions are still ongoing we can't comment further," they added.

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