Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Devon set to outsource the running of its libraries
Devon County Council is set to outsource the running of its libraries to ‘secure the future of Devon’s library service’ and ensure it remains economically viable.
The libraries will be taken over by a new private organisation created by the council which will be responsible for the delivery of services. The new organisation will be owned by library staff and the community and managed by a chief executive and board of trustees.
The company will operate under the name ‘Devon Libraries’, although the registered name will be Libraries Unlimited South West. It will legally be a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, which the Council believes will optimise commercial and charitable benefits, such as 80 per cent relief on business rates.
If the plans are approved, services will be expected to begin from April 2016.
Roger Croad, the county council’s cabinet member responsible for the service, explained: “These ambitious plans will give our libraries the opportunity to grow, and the communities who enjoy the services on offer, and the staff that enjoy providing them, will have a real stake and influence over their future.
“They will have a more direct say in the running of the library service because they will own the new organisation as part of the public service mutual, and their interests will be directly presented on the board of the organisation, whose sole focus will be running excellent libraries.”
Latest News
05/12/2024 - 10:48
A new report published by the East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) has outlined five key recommendations for strengthening the integration of health and housing across Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
05/12/2024 - 09:36
Hundreds of council building inspections will be carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to check councils are managing the risk of asbestos properly.
04/12/2024 - 12:19
As of Monday (2nd December), local authorities have new powers to be able to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for
04/12/2024 - 11:13
Today (4th December 2024), the transport secretary revealed that South Western Railway’s services will be the first to come under public control.
03/12/2024 - 10:48
After receiving £700,000 of government funding, Telford & Wrekin Council is making progress in launching its electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint programme.
Company Focus
Kittle Group is a professional bid writing consultancy based in the UK, supporting clients to write winning bids and tenders since 2014.
Event Diary
Education Business LIVE is a carefully designed conference and exhibition bringing together education people with a passion for the promotion and development of effective school leadership, management, learning and teaching.
Supplier Profiles
Mark Roberts’ decades of experience will boost JAGGAER’s UK Public Sector strategy
Latest Features
Welcoming millions of visitors every year, Leeds is an exceptional city known as one of the top 10 conference destinations in the UK, with its independent spirit and international vision. Compact and accessible, you can walk everywhere in Leeds with all conferencing venues and hotels within easy reach.
More and more waste is beginning to be recycled correctly, both on a national and local level.
