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Suffolk Libraries CEO requests county council 'listen to reason' as takeover decision looms

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With over 22,000 petition signatures opposing the plan, the library charity makes its final appeal before today's cabinet meeting.

Why it matters: Hours before Suffolk County Council's cabinet meets to decide on taking the library service back in-house, Suffolk Libraries is highlighting what it claims Suffolk residents will lose under council management.

The big picture: The charity has run Suffolk's libraries for 12 and a half years and claims the takeover would jeopardise nearly £2.5m in annual financial benefits and numerous innovative services.

Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, and the County Library in Ipswich
Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, and the County Library in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers: Suffolk Libraries says its charity status delivers substantial financial advantages:

  • £690,000 contributed by Friends' groups for furniture, equipment and refurbishments

  • £150,000 yearly from running prison libraries

  • £500,000 in rates relief due to charity status

  • Nearly £100,000 raised annually through fundraising

  • Almost £1m yearly in grant funding only available to charitable organisations

What they're saying: "We urge Suffolk County Council to listen to reason, to stand by its stated mission 'to make a positive difference for Suffolk', and 'striving to improve, and securing the best possible services'," said Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries.

He pleaded: "Ensure the people of Suffolk continue to benefit from the outstanding library service which has been heralded as the benchmark for excellence within the industry. Please don't make such an important decision based on flawed figures which so many Suffolk residents are clearly opposed to."

Beyond the money: Suffolk Libraries warns that several services may not continue under council control:

  • Arts Council funded programmes

  • Health and wellbeing projects such as Menopause & Me and Moving Minds

  • Community-led initiatives including Men Can Talk and LGBTQIA+ groups

  • The Be Kind to a Kid Christmas toy appeal that donated over 6,000 toys to families in need

The volunteer factor: In 2023-24, over 1,200 volunteers provided 35,500 volunteering hours to the service. The charity says many volunteers "have already stated that they will not continue if the library service is run by the county council."

For context: Suffolk Libraries has achieved numerous industry innovations, including:

  • First library service with a dedicated wellbeing team

  • One of the first to offer libraries as warm spaces during the cost-of-living crisis

  • First to loan eReader devices to customers

  • First to develop its own self-service technology, saving around £100,000

The bottom line: With growing opposition from local residents, MPs, backbench councillors and other key stakeholders, Suffolk Libraries is making a final appeal for the county council to "return to the negotiating table" before the cabinet makes its decision.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Fashion, food and music: Ipswich students celebrate their heritage at Culture Day

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BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph praised One Sixth Form College's celebration of cultural diversity, saying it gives students the chance to "celebrate who they are and where they are from."

Why it matters: The fifth annual Culture Day at One Sixth Form College (ONE) brought together students, staff and local organisations to champion equality and celebrate the diverse backgrounds within the Ipswich community.

BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph with Ellisha Soanes, an Eastern Education Group consultant
BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph with Ellisha Soanes, an Eastern Education Group consultantEastern Education Group

Students and staff took to the catwalk in a fashion show wearing outfits representing their heritage, with music provided by Angelle Joseph, who also hosts BBC Introducing in Suffolk.

"It's a chance to celebrate the diversity of the college," said Joseph, attending the event for the third time. "People have travelled from all over the world and now live in Ipswich. It's a day where everyone can feel really proud and celebrate who they are and where they are from."

The bigger picture: Local organisations including Aspire Black Matters, Ipswich Museum, Job Centre Plus, Karmartri, Outreach Youth and Volunteering Matters supported the celebration.

Activities included Chinese health practices, while food sold on campus offered a selection of dishes from around the globe.

Cass and Lexie from One Sixth Form College
Cass and Lexie from One Sixth Form College helped organise the Culture DayEastern Education Group

What they're saying: Lexie Jordan, 17, from Ipswich, who helped organise the event, said: "It's all about embracing everyone's different cultures, recognising where everyone is from and understanding what that means to each person."

For A-level student Cass Herrieven, 17, from Leiston, the day had personal significance: "It's important for me as I'm half Portuguese and I've not got much of a chance to connect with that side of me – so having somewhere that is celebrating me and everyone else is pretty special."

Nyasha Mangoma, 17, from Ipswich, who took to the fashion catwalk representing black Britain alongside her mother Sharon representing Zimbabwe, added: "I think it is important to celebrate everyone's cultures especially when we live in such a culturally diverse area of England."

Nyasha Mangoma was representing black Britain during the One Sixth Form College culture day
Nyasha Mangoma was representing black Britain during the One Sixth Form College culture dayEastern Education Group

For context: Ivya Scott, a University of East Anglia student representing Suffolk Windrush, displayed quilts people had made relating to their history. She said: "This event is important as people get to know the contributions that people in their community have made to Ipswich, Suffolk and Britain."

Jackie Ellis, representing The Hive and The Ipswich Museum, said: "I think this event is very important as there is a diversity of different communities (here at ONE) and when people learn from other cultures, it empowers them to interact better and understand one another."

Ivya, a student from the University of East Anglia
Ivya, a student from the University of East Anglia, came along to talk about the Windrusg GenerationEastern Education Group

The bottom line: ONE Group Principal Jake Robson summarised the event's purpose: "This is our fifth annual Culture Day, a celebration of belonging. It brings our diverse community together, allowing everyone to embrace both their unique identities and shared experiences."

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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