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Lifesaving defibrillators installed at all Ipswich sheltered housing schemes

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Ipswich Borough Council has installed public access defibrillators outside all 15 of its sheltered housing schemes, available for use 24/7.

Why it matters: Defibrillators are crucial for emergency response to cardiac arrests, where every minute counts. Public access significantly increases survival chances for those experiencing cardiac emergencies.

The defibrillators can be unlocked when someone calls 999 and receives an access code from emergency services.

Defibrillator machine mounted on a wall

By the numbers:

  • 15 sheltered housing schemes now equipped

  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

  • Accessible to the entire community, not just residents

Behind the scenes: The project was funded by the Council's Area Housing Panels with match funding from the Department of Health & Social Care, delivered in partnership with London Hearts.

What they're saying: Councillor Alasdair Ross, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Housing, says: "It's fantastic to see this lifesaving equipment fitted at all 15 of our sheltered housing schemes, and we'd like to thank London Hearts for supporting this vital initiative. These devices are an invaluable resource for our communities, and by increasing public access to them, we greatly enhance the chances of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest."

The bottom line: Residents can find their nearest defibrillator using the online finder at www.defibfinder.uk or learn more about Ipswich Borough Council sheltered schemes at www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing/sheltered-housing-schemes.

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Suffolk library dispute: Charity says council misrepresenting management costs

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Suffolk Libraries claims its back office costs are 21.4% of the total budget—not 33% as claimed by Suffolk County Council, whose CEO urges councillors not to "make a big decision based on flawed figures."

Why it matters: Suffolk County Council has proposed taking the library service back in-house after 12 and a half years of being run by Suffolk Libraries, a move the charity says is based on misrepresented figures. The decision has been met with widespread public criticism:

  • A survey by this publication revealed that 76% were not in favour of the decision, with just 14% in favour of it

  • A petition against the takeover is approaching 21,000 signatures

Bruce Leeke and Sylvia Knights of Suffolk Libraries
Bruce Leeke and Sylvia Knights of Suffolk Libraries

By the numbers: Suffolk Libraries has an annual charitable turnover of nearly £10m, of which:

  • £6.8m comes from the council contract

  • Nearly £3m is generated by Suffolk Libraries itself

  • The charity says this extra income "pays for nearly all back office and management costs"

What they're saying: "We stand by our figures which prove 21.4% of our total annual salary budget is spent on back office/management, including functions like the stock team, HR and IT," said Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries.

"The figure is only around 7% for senior management, a ratio that seems perfectly reasonable for a charity responsible for running 45 libraries, three mobile libraries and 13 prison libraries in addition to many other value adding contracts."

The other side: The county council has claimed that 33% of Suffolk Libraries staffing costs are spent on back office and management, a figure the charity disputes as being calculated incorrectly.

What's next: Suffolk Libraries met with the council this week to present a new proposal that would potentially allow the council to access additional funding to maintain the current service for the next two years.

For context: The charity says it has "successfully run" the county's 45 libraries for over 12 years and is "heralded within the industry as an example of best practice."

The bottom line: Sylvia Knights, Chair of Suffolk Libraries, has recorded a video appealing to Suffolk County Council decision makers to reconsider and "get back round the negotiating table."

The Suffolk Libraries Contract: A Message from Sylvia Knights, Chair of the Board
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