New chairman for board which will take over libraries
Wednesday, 21st March 2012.
The board of the organisation taking over the management of Suffolk’s library service has appointed a new chairman.
Working in partnership with board members, community groups and the county council, Shona Bendix will play a leading role in the future of the county’s libraries and help put them on a strong and secure footing for the future.
Shona brings with her significant experience of local government and working in a membership organisation, having been chief executive at the Suffolk Association of Local Councils for six years.
During this time, Shona has supported town and parish councils across Suffolk with training and advice and helped SALC to play an instrumental role in discussions over the future of library services.
Before joining SALC, Shona was senior executive officer at Local Government Regulation, the local government body responsible for overseeing and improving regulatory services delivered by councils.
Speaking about the challenges ahead, Shona said: “The people I’m working with in the IPS and library service share a very strong and very clear aim – to do what’s best for the future of the service.
"This fundamental principle is what’s driving all of us to do what we can to make sure our much-loved libraries are able to flourish and continue to be well-used for decades to come.
"I’m very much looking forward to working in partnership with the board, library groups and the public to turn those ambitions into reality.”
Shona takes the reins from Clive Fox who, as the IPS’ inaugural chairman, took the organisation from the drawing board to the board room – putting in place some of the critical building blocks needed to establish the new organisation as a solid base for Suffolk’s library services.
As chairman, Clive ensured the IPS was established as a legal entity, registered with the Financial Services Authority and recruited its general manager and additional board members.
Clive also oversaw the IPS’ contribution to the House of Commons Select Committee inquiry on libraries and made sure the board visited and built relationships with local library groups around Suffolk.
Welcoming Shona’s appointment and paying tribute to the significant personal and professional commitment Clive has made to the IPS, Cllr Judy Terry, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for libraries, said: “Shona is an experienced and well respected person and I’m confident her strong leadership will have a positive impact on the library service as we work to secure its future.
"As chairman, Clive has helped the IPS take some significant strides forward and I’d like to thank him for everything he has contributed so far.”
Suffolk’s Libraries IPS is on track to complete phase one of its development by the end of June 2012, by which time it must be in a position to sign a contract and service level agreement with the county council.
"At this point, the library service’s 400 employees will move over to the IPS. The body will also then be able to make significant progress in building its membership base across the Suffolk’s 44 libraries.
Working in partnership with board members, community groups and the county council, Shona Bendix will play a leading role in the future of the county’s libraries and help put them on a strong and secure footing for the future.
Shona brings with her significant experience of local government and working in a membership organisation, having been chief executive at the Suffolk Association of Local Councils for six years.
During this time, Shona has supported town and parish councils across Suffolk with training and advice and helped SALC to play an instrumental role in discussions over the future of library services.
Before joining SALC, Shona was senior executive officer at Local Government Regulation, the local government body responsible for overseeing and improving regulatory services delivered by councils.
Speaking about the challenges ahead, Shona said: “The people I’m working with in the IPS and library service share a very strong and very clear aim – to do what’s best for the future of the service.
"This fundamental principle is what’s driving all of us to do what we can to make sure our much-loved libraries are able to flourish and continue to be well-used for decades to come.
"I’m very much looking forward to working in partnership with the board, library groups and the public to turn those ambitions into reality.”
Shona takes the reins from Clive Fox who, as the IPS’ inaugural chairman, took the organisation from the drawing board to the board room – putting in place some of the critical building blocks needed to establish the new organisation as a solid base for Suffolk’s library services.
As chairman, Clive ensured the IPS was established as a legal entity, registered with the Financial Services Authority and recruited its general manager and additional board members.
Clive also oversaw the IPS’ contribution to the House of Commons Select Committee inquiry on libraries and made sure the board visited and built relationships with local library groups around Suffolk.
Welcoming Shona’s appointment and paying tribute to the significant personal and professional commitment Clive has made to the IPS, Cllr Judy Terry, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for libraries, said: “Shona is an experienced and well respected person and I’m confident her strong leadership will have a positive impact on the library service as we work to secure its future.
"As chairman, Clive has helped the IPS take some significant strides forward and I’d like to thank him for everything he has contributed so far.”
Suffolk’s Libraries IPS is on track to complete phase one of its development by the end of June 2012, by which time it must be in a position to sign a contract and service level agreement with the county council.
"At this point, the library service’s 400 employees will move over to the IPS. The body will also then be able to make significant progress in building its membership base across the Suffolk’s 44 libraries.
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