Agenda item

(a)  That the library service be transferred back in house from 1st July 2016.

(b)  That the existing contract with Library Services (Slough) Ltd, a commercial arm of Essex County Council, be extended by six months from its current end date (31st December 2015) to 30th June 2016. 

The Head of Learning and Community Services introduced a report that sought approval to extend the existing library services contract to the end of June 2016 and then transfer the service back in house from 1^st July 2016.

The report set out the rationale for this proposal and the options that had been considered during the review, which included re-tendering, extending the existing contract or bringing it back in house.  It was noted that the current arrangement with Library Services (Slough) Ltd had secured ongoing revenue savings of £214,134 from 2011-12 to 2015-16 and further savings of £191,000 could be achieved by bringing it in house from 1^st July 2016.  There were opportunities to deliver more savings through service redesign and improved integration.  Extending the existing contract for six months would enable a properly planned transition, particularly in view of the move to the Curve.

The Commissioner for Community & Leisure supported the recommendation and highlighted that the scale and expertise of the current provider had helped to positively transform library services in recent years through technology, new satellite libraries and bulk purchasing of books.  Taking the service back in house would now build on this success and provide the flexibility to introduce different models of delivery as well as make immediate savings.  The Cabinet felt that the previous outsourcing had successfully delivered the desired objectives at that time and agreed that a short term extension before bringing the service back in house would be the best model for the future.

Resolved –

(a)  That the library service be transferred back in house from 1st July 2016.

(b)  That the existing contract with Library Services (Slough) Ltd, a commercial arm of Essex County Council, be extended by six months from its current end date (31st December 2015) to 30th June 2016.