This snapshot taken on 12/05/2010, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.

Sue Charteris appointed to carry out local inquiry into public library service in the Wirral

063/09
29 April 2009

Sue Charteris has been appointed to carry out the local Inquiry into the public library service in the Wirral, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.

The Inquiry, which was announced on 3 April, will investigate whether the Council’s plans are consistent with their statutory duties: the Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) charges all local authorities with providing, among other things, a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service.

Should Wirral Council be found to be falling short of these duties, the Inquiry will recommend practical steps they need to take in order to correct this.

Andy Burnham said:

“I am delighted that Sue has agreed to take on this significant and valuable role.  This Inquiry has the potential to affect the thousands of people on the Wirral who have a right to a comprehensive and efficient library service.  I’m sure that Sue’s excellent experience with local government, and more recently in supporting authorities through change and improvement, will prove to be invaluable.

“We are in a time when local government, like individual people, are economically challenged.  The modernisation of our library service is at the top of my department’s agenda, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that local services are safeguarded from swingeing changes that could be potentially damaging to communities.  Our Library Review, being published in June, will make the case for the value of library services, particularly in these testing times, and support modernisation in a way which benefits happens in the right way and never compromises the core provision of access.

top

“I am confident that Sue will be thorough, diligent and fair in her Inquiry, and I look forward to reading her report in due course.”

Sue Charteris said:

“I am very pleased to have been appointed to lead this Inquiry into the Wirral library service.  Having been involved in local government and worked for local authorities, I fully understand the challenges that they face in the provision of services – particularly in this difficult economic climate – but also know the valuable role that libraries play in local communities.  My advice to the Secretary of State will be based on a thorough study of the evidence, and I will give all interested parties the opportunity to comment.”

Sue Charteris’ report is due in June, and the Secretary of State’s decision will follow shortly after.


Notes to Editors

  1. The Inquiry into the public library service in the Wirral was announced on 3 April 2009.  The press notice is available on the DCMS website.

  2. The terms of reference for the Inquiry revolve around the duties imposed upon library authorities under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, and can be found on the DCMS website.

  3. Sue Charteris is a Founder Director of Shared Intelligence, a company which works with a broad range of clients to help them reconsider how they deliver public services and improve delivery. She is a highly experienced Public Policy Consultant specialising in Local Government and Public Service Reform. Building on her previous experience as Chief Executive of Merton and Executive Director of Kirklees local authorities, she was founder member of the Local Government Modernisation Team at DTLR (now DCLG) and Associate Fellow of the Local Government Centre at Warwick Business School. For the past ten years Sue has helped both local authorities and other public sector bodies with policy development and change management, and the creation of practitioner learning networks for knowledge exchange; notably on Local Area Agreements (LAAs) and on Neighbourhood Management. Previous work with DCMS includes design and support of NDPB peer reviews, including those of ACE and English Heritage. Sue is an adviser to the Leadership Centre for Local Government; working with elected members and management teams on implementing change.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 6052/6277
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6200

Back to main

Next >
< Prev

Back to top