There is mounting speculation that York’s library service will be outsourced and removed from council ownership after a recent review of council management jobs did not include any discussion on the future role of the ‘Head of Libraries’.

In a related development, the Labour Cabinet Member in charge of libraries has confirmed that current staffing levels can not be guaranteed after planned reforms are completed.

Last month the Lib Dems revealed that Labour was drawing up proposals to take libraries out of council control and ownership. The plans have seen a City of York Council ‘project board’ set-up which is working on how assets could be transferred and how alternative ownership models could work. Despite promising a “full and frank” discussion, the six-week public consultation launched by Labour on the city’s library service, has been criticised as it does not include any questions on future ownership or management changes.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Cultural Services, commented:

“It does not take a genius to work out that the recent review of managers in the communities, culture and public realm area finalised arrangements for 13 out of the 14 positions. The position of Head of Libraries was excluded from the review. This would only be done if it was known that fundamental changes were on the cards and the position and the service would soon be in the private or third sector.

“As for jobs and service levels, it is worrying but not surprising that the Cabinet Member can not make any guarantees. If the service is outsourced the council is likely to lose this sort of managerial control over what libraries provide, who works in them, and how many work in them.

“I do fear that we are sleepwalking towards the Labour Cabinet agreeing to sell-off the libraries in December before we have had a chance to properly scrutinise their plans. The library service has gone from strength to strength over recent years and its staff are an asset to York. We can not allow them to be sold down the river by Labour.”

NB. In a recent review City of York Council confirmed it is to “delete” 13 ‘Heads of Service Posts’ within its communities, culture and public realm area and replace them with 8 new roles. The only existing post that was not included in the review was the Head of Libraries & Heritage.

At this month’s Full Council the following answer was given by Cllr Sonja Crisp, Labour Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism:

(xxiii)To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism from Cllr Ayre:

“Can the Cabinet Member guarantee that whatever the future ownership model of libraries, current staffing levels will be maintained?”

Clearly I cannot give that guarantee. Eric Pickles may sign local government up for a whole series of extra cuts beyond those we already know about, and without warning. A social enterprise model, should it be a route we agree to pursue, may determine that current staffing levels are unsustainable. There are a number of unknowns that in the current climate that it would foolish to try and predict. What I will say is that this administration is fully committed to maintaining an excellent and nationally recognised service, and the staffing necessary to support such a service.