Plans to offload community libraries scrapped

Derby City Council has scrapped plans to hand over the running of 10 community libraries to an outside group for a second time.

The community interest group Sporting Communities had been appointed to run the libraries and had been in discussion with the council about creating a trust to take over the sites, in a money-saving drive for the council.

However, the authority said that it had become clear during negotiations that "outsourcing was not the best approach" to protect the libraries in the long term, which have in recent years been at risk of closure.

The libraries will now remain in council hands and their futures will be considered at a later date.

The council first made the decision to transfer the 10 libraries to a community-managed model in 2017 in bid to save just under £700,000, whilst maintaining five statutory libraries.

They had faced an uncertain future in March 2023 when the then Conservative-run authority launched a consultation on the facilities.

The administration subsequently invited outside groups to bid to run them.

But this was paused when Labour took control of the council in May 2023 and suggested an independent charity could be appointed to run them - a decision agreed in March last year.

Sporting Communities was appointed to take on the sites in Allestree, Allenton, Blagreaves, Chaddesden Park, Chellaston, Derwent, Mackworth, Sinfin, Spondon and Springwood in December last year.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, the city council's cabinet member for communities, said that the decision had been made despite "considerable optimism" in the initial phases of talks with the preferred bidder.

"The decision to withdraw from negotiations means the council will continue to run the libraries.

"I want to reassure public, staff and volunteers that we remain committed to the future success of our libraries and our manifesto commitment to protect them.

"I'd like to thank our dedicated staff and invaluable volunteers who have continued to provide an excellent standard of service throughout this period of review," she said.

Councillor Chambers said no money had been spent on the process and she was confident the council could afford to run the libraries in-house going forward.

The budget to run the libraries stands at about £300,000.

The leader of Derby Conservatives Steve Hassall said: "It seems for all Labour's bluster about saving libraries they have massively dropped the ball on this and made a complete hash of the situation.

"It's a case of headline grabbing before substance, yet again.

"There is also the absolute contempt and lack of communication towards staff that also needs highlighting here.

"Labour's actions and behaviour are shameful and they should be apologising to all staff and volunteers for how they have treated them."

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