Devon library campaigners petition against potential redundancies
The Save Devon’s Libraries (SDL) pressure group is lobbying Members of Parliament to protest a cost-cutting restructure within the region's library service. The group warns that 19 experienced library supervisor positions are at risk under a plan by Libraries Unlimited, which manages 50 libraries for Devon County Council and four for Torbay Council.
Campaigners note that the proposed restructure would leave 19 supervisors competing for only nine new management positions. An open letter and petition, organized by Solomon Elliott and supported by MP Steve Race, calls for the restructure to be paused, the financial justification to be made public, and alternatives to redundancy to be explored.
This development follows a public consultation in May that received 25,528 responses, after which Devon County Council pledged £2 million to protect and improve library services. On October 1, the council also announced £300,000 in one-off grants for library improvements.
Entities
Devon County Council · Libraries Unlimited · Save Devon’s Libraries · Solomon Elliott · Steve Race
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The restructure would result in 19 supervisors competing for nine new management positions. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The public consultation regarding libraries received 25,528 responses. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Devon County Council announced £2 million in funding to protect and improve libraries following a consultation. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Libraries Unlimited is planning a cost-cutting restructure of the Devon library service. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Devon County Council announced £300,000 in one-off grants for library improvements on October 1. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] 19 library supervisor jobs are at risk due to the restructure. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Save Devon’s Libraries group is lobbying MPs and has issued an open letter and petition. www.ivybridge-today.co.uk · www.creditoncourier.co.uk · www.tavistock-today.co.uk