Decision details

Purpose of Report: This report asks the Cabinet to agree the heads of terms with Explore Libraries and Archive Mutual for operation of the Council's libraries and archive services.

Members are asked to agree the heads of terms of the contract for operation of the service from 1 April, 2014.

This item has been deferred from the November 2013 to February 2014 Cabinet meeting in order to fit in with the Community Benefit Society’s Implementation Plan.

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree to:

(i)        Approve the award of a contract to Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual through a single tender action.

(ii)       Approve the key principles of the founding legal agreements set out in the report together with Schedule 2 of the Contract for Services set out at Annex 2, and delegate to the Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Director of Customer and Business Support Services authority to conclude:

·        The Transfer agreement.

·        The Contract for Services between the Council and Explore.

·        Leases to be used for the premises.

·        The Collections Loan and Management Agreement.

·        Targets against the indicators set out in Annex 3 of the report.

(iii)        Approve 1 April, 2014 as the earliest date on which to transfer the operation of the Council’s libraries and archives services to Explore.

Reason:     To create the best delivery model for libraries and archive services in York.