THE creation of a new independent organisation to run Devon’s libraries could be given the green light next week.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet will consider final plans to establish a new “public service mutual”, which will run the library service from April 1, 2016.

The County Council will remain responsible for the library service, but will commission the delivery of the service from the new organisation, which will be owned by library staff and the community and managed by a Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.

The new organisation’s name will be Libraries Unlimited South West, but will continue to operate in Devon as “Devon Libraries”.

Councillors first agreed the proposals in March, and since then work has been underway to develop a rigorous five-year business plan to ensure that the new organisation can save money and able to deliver an affordable, sustainable and innovative library service for Devon.

A key factor in the new organisation’s viability is due to its legal form as a “company limited by guarantee with charitable status”.

This set up will optimise commercial and charitable benefits, such as up to 80 per cent relief on business rates, and enable the service to work in a more dynamic and entrepreneurial way outside of the local authority by applying for grants and funds not available to the County Council.

Similar models are successfully running library services in other parts of the country and saving council taxpayers’ money.

Cabinet members will hear that ambitious plans for the new organisation include developing the library service to become more efficient and generate new income by, for example, maximising the use of libraries by hiring space and working with other local authorities and the wider business community to provide other services.

As well as maintaining reading, learning and information services for communities across Devon, there are plans to expand support for enterprise, digital opportunities and resident’s health and well-being.

Devon County Council says the new organisation will also give libraries a more concentrated focus and greater opportunities to engage more directly with customers, communities and partners in order to develop the service.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the remaining trustees to the Board will be recruited from library staff, Library Friends Groups and Independent trustees over the coming months.

The Chief Executive will also be appointed and a restructure of the existing Libraries’ Management Team will take place.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet will meet on Wednesday, November 11 at 10.15am at County Hall. You can watch the meeting live online at: http://www.devoncc.publici.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/178937 .

Alan Quick