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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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Police appeal after golf ball attack damages historic Landguard Fort

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Over 40 golf balls were driven at Felixstowe's Landguard Fort, causing mortar damage to the historic structure's outer wall.

Why it matters: The damage constitutes an offence under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, which protects historically significant sites.

Inside the Landguard Fort in Felixstowe
Inside the Landguard Fort in FelixstoweGetty Images

The details: Suffolk Police reported that the incident took place between 17:00 on Monday, 10 March and 09:00 on Tuesday, 11 March.

The golf balls were driven from a grass mound outside the fort on Point View Road, with some projectiles clearing the outer wall and landing in the inner parade area.

What's next: Officers are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about those responsible to come forward.

How to help: Contact Suffolk Police quoting crime reference 37/13803/25 via:

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form.

The bottom line: This act of vandalism has caused damage to one of Felixstowe's most important historic landmarks, which is protected by national legislation.

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