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July 11, 2007
MLA takes the plunge- but is it legal?
The MLA is proposing to appoint a strategic partner to assist in its continuing efforts and has published a "Specification" - (for which I am trying to find a link on the MLA website)
It is a major and expensive step forward along the Price Waterhouse Cooper/ Andrew Stevens road to Nirvana and central control of the public library service.
Basically the proposal is that the MLA should choose the books for every library in the country.
I'm not sure that this is what the MLA ought to be doing. There is a role-- but not this one
It misses the central point to me-- the law says that it is local councils who are responsible for the public library service- not the MLA or any "partner" they may employ. And it is a multi million pound plan even though, at this stage, it only covers a small number of libraries mostly in the North West .
Library suppliers must be wondering how legal it would be for Andrew Stevens and his gang to destroy their livelihood, in the act of providing a service for which he is neither accountable nor responsible.
It is true that Margaret Hodge, the Minister, has a duty to "superintend" the service. But that is hardly the same thing as attempting to run it.
I see no concensus of those councillors who have the responsibility asking Andrew Stevens to do all this work. In fact they are nowhere to be seen on any of his many committees. Such projects should be under their control- shouldn't they?
Posted by Tim Coates at July 11, 2007 8:57 AM