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December 28, 2007
Chaos in Lambeth
Regular readers of this blog will know that by putting 'Lambeth' in the Search Box in the right hand tramline, they will find that the London Borough of Lambeth has the worst performance and record of all library services in the country if not the world. They have also seen that Lambeth Council embarked on a thorough review of the service 18 months ago, which, to everyone's surprise- given the help that was on offer to them- failed to address or understand any of the problems, let alone set about solving them.
Now the Christmas post reveals the following from an internal council memorandum - scapegoats and all.
From: Symonds,Garath
Sent: 27 December 2007 10:53
To: ALL
Cc: Overall,Robert; Ellerby,Julian
Subject: Libraries, Archives and Arts Service
Dear colleagues
Following recent discussions with senior management and our cabinet portfolio holder, I have agreed to look at the re-organisation of the Library service in some more detail. I am keen that the re-organisation is really right for our citizens, our staff and for the service as a whole; we will take the opportunity to step back and reflect and to ensure that the staffing structure best delivers the objectives outlined in the strategic review that was agreed by Cabinet in June 2007.
Having delivered a transformed service in my previous role in the Lambeth I also want to see if the lessons I have learnt are useful in how we go forward. I am still convinced that we need a reorganisation of the Libraries, Archives and Arts Service but as part of a strategic re-alignment of the Cultural Services Division. I am suspending the current re-organisation; this means that any planned interviews are also suspended and any matters resulting from this decision will be considered on a case by case basis.
I also want to inform you that Lesley Ray (Head of Service) will be leaving the council on the 21st December; Lesley was due to retire in the summer of 2008 but feels that the service would benefit from new leadership and a fresh perspective. I would like to thank Lesley for her hard work and commitment to Lambeth Council and wish her luck in the future. Katherine Pedley (Deputy Head of Service) is also leaving the council on the 21st December; Katherine had always planned to leave when the reorganisation was completed and the work that she has done in supporting the re-organisation is really helpful in moving us forward.
I will want to discuss with you how we move forward. I will establish an interim leadership team in the New Year. If you have any questions in the mean time then please contact me.
Thank you for your patience.
Regards
Garath Symonds
Divisional Director - Cultural Services
Environment, Culture & Community Safety
London Borough of Lambeth
Phone: 020 7926 2893
Fax: 020 7926 2486
Email: gsymonds@lambeth.gov.uk
www.lambeth.gov.uk
Lambeth's Cultural Services: Delivering quality, tackling inequality
Posted by Perkins at December 28, 2007 11:37 AM
Comments
This is the typically waffling prose of a bureaucrat who is spinning it out to "justify" a job. It says nothing, except that two people are leaving.
When will these characters learn that people want ample shelves well stocked with books, staff who can guide them around and answer reference questions - and then simply let everybody get on with it? These endless "re-alignments" are just the bureaucratic equivalent of the neurotic homemaker who thinks that life will gain a new lustre by moving the sofa.
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at December 31, 2007 10:04 AM
I suggest Garath Symonds does the Lambeth Walk of shame....
Posted by: peg harker at January 1, 2008 3:06 AM