Forum Topic

John Laing sells its library business to Carillion

In the news it has been confirmed that the management of our library services have changed hands.  Carillion has purchased the support services arm of Laing, John Laing Integrated Services, who manage the library services of Hounslow, Ealing, Croydon and Harrow.Wolverhampton-based Carillion has snapped up the support services and facilities management business of infrastructure giant John Laing, which employs 1,500 staff.The deal for John Laing Integrated Services (JLIS), which has a turnover of almost £65m, was unconditional and took place on 18 October 2013.All staff currently employed in JLIS have transferred to Carillion.I feel sorry for the library staff that are on their third employer no doubt they will face further cut backs and changes.

Karan Kad ● 4307d7 Comments

I got the impression today that John Laing did considerably more than libraries in the borough. Parks, sports facilities, nature reserves, cultural activities ????

Tim Henderson ● 4307d

Pretty much what happened to our utility companies - now all owned by foreign companies, once you sell something off you lose all control.

Vanessa Smith ● 4307d

Local citizens did not choose Carllion. Local Councillors did not choose Carillion. Even all powerful Council Officers did not choose Carillion.So much for local democracy.Also for those that didn't know Carillion is the fancy, newish name for the boys from the black stuff - Tarmac. Laying tarmac and running libraries - what a perfect fit...

Eric Alan Leach ● 4307d

Therefore obviously making a huge profit.

Dawn Hardy ● 4307d

NO - that's not what has been said - yet! It is just that having outsourced the libraries, the company that was responsible - John Laing, have had the part that affects our library service sold to another construction company.

Vanessa Smith ● 4307d

You never mentioned Brentford Library? do we have to start to fight again to keep it open.

Dawn Hardy ● 4307d

Oh dear! But this is what happens when you 'outsource' your facilities, as well as the poor bloody staff, where does that leave us - the users? Seems to me to be yet another argument for keeping our valued services in the public sector.

Vanessa Smith ● 4307d