Please provide the following information relating to Devon County Council’s funding of Libraries Unlimited and the current staffing restructuring.
1. What was the total core service fee paid by Devon County Council to Libraries Unlimited in 2024/25 and 2025/26, and what is the agreed core service fee for 2026/27?
2024/25 Contract Main Service Fee £6,599,000
2025/26 Contract Main Service Fee £6,429,184
2026/27 Contract Main Service Fee £7,025,000
2. Before the additional £650,000 agreed for 2026/27, what core service fee was Libraries Unlimited due to receive in 2026/27?
There was no agreed main service fee for 2026/7 before the £650k was re-instated.
3. Following the restoration of the £650,000, what is the final core service fee Libraries Unlimited will receive in 2026/27?
2026/27 Contract Main Service Fee £7,025,000.
4. Of the £650,000, please confirm how much is being paid directly to Libraries Unlimited, including the £225,000 for the book fund and £425,000 for general library delivery.
The increase to the book fund from £500k in 2025/6 to £600k in 2026/7 is managed by Libraries Unlimited who purchase the physical and digital stock for the Council.
The £425,000 for general library delivery has been added to the Main Service Fee agreed with Libraries Unlimited for the 2026/7 financial year.
5. Please identify any reductions in annual or core funding to Libraries Unlimited since 2024/25 that have not been restored by the £650,000.
The service fee paid to Libraries Unlimited under the contract with the Council has seen an increase from 2024/5 levels.
6. What annual funding gap, deficit or shortfall for 2026/27 has Libraries Unlimited reported to Devon County Council, either before or after the £650,000 was restored?
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because Libraries Unlimited have not reported a gap, deficit or shortfall for the current financial year 2026/27.
7. Please provide any calculation, budget, report or correspondence held by the Council showing how that funding gap or shortfall was calculated.
Please see response to Question 6.
8. Please confirm whether the separate £1 million Libraries and Rural Hubs reserve/transformation funding can be used by Libraries Unlimited for staff salaries or other recurring operating costs, and how much of this fund has been allocated to Libraries Unlimited.
This information is exempt from disclosure under Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act (Information Intended for Future Publication)
Devon County Council can confirm that grant scheme information is held but is intended for future publication on our website within 2 weeks after the 28th September 2026. Given that the publication date is imminent and in line with accepted practices, it is reasonable to withhold this information.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency and accountability regarding the use of public funds and the operation of grant schemes. However, there is a stronger public interest in allowing the information to be published in a planned and orderly manner. Premature disclosure could result in information being released before it has been finalised, quality assured and prepared for publication, creating a risk of misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
The Council has already committed to publishing the information and disclosure through the planned publication process will ensure that it is made available to all interested parties at the same time, together with the appropriate context and supporting information. In these circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in immediate disclosure.
By way of assistance, we can advise that the grants cannot be used to replace activities or staff currently delivered through the contract to operate Devon’s libraries.
9. Has Libraries Unlimited informed Devon County Council of a staffing restructuring, redundancy programme or reduction in staffing during 2026/27? If so, please provide the number of posts and FTE posts proposed to be removed, where this information is held.
The Council has been informed by Libraries Unlimited of the intent to consult with staff on a proposed new staffing structure. The formal consultation is a matter for Libraries Unlimited and further details have not been shared with Devon County Council.
10. Please provide the roles or categories of staff and library locations affected by these proposed staffing reductions, where this information is held.
Devon County Council does not hold this information. As a separate organisation it is the sole legal responsibility of Libraries Unlimited to manage staff employed by them and to follow applicable employment processes.
11. Please provide the estimated annual financial saving from these staffing changes and any information provided to the Council explaining why the reductions are required despite the additional funding agreed for the library service in 2026/27.
Devon County Council does not hold this information. The Council expects the contractor to ensure the service is delivered in the most efficient way possible.
12. If the current staffing restructuring affects particular libraries, please provide the following information for each affected library: its name, current annual operating cost, staffing/FTE allocation and details of any posts affected by the restructuring.
If this information is not held by individual library, please provide it by relevant service area, branch group or other available geographical category.
Devon County Council does not hold this information. The Council has a service contract with Libraries Unlimited to operate the network of 50 Libraries in the most efficient way possible.