The Leisure, Sport and Culture Committee heard an update this morning on the plans to reopen Sutton Coldfield Library. (suttonlibraryosreport)

The building was closed in April 2010, when asbestos was discovered during the course of a ‘modernisation and refurbishment’ programme and a huge amount of work needs to be done to get it up and running again. The cost of this work is likely to be in region of £1.8m.

At a time when libraries are being closed all over the country, my colleagues and I are determined to get the one in Sutton town centre reopened. Up until its closure last year, Sutton Library was the second busiest in the city and however much other libraries in the constituency are ‘taking up the strain’ it’s vital that we get the one at the centre of the town open again.

And although we’re going to need to ensure that we make more efficient use of the space, with other services likely to be occupying the building, I’m really keen that we have as much of a library facility as possible. It was confirmed to the committee this morning that councillors and ‘service users’ will be consulted once the detailed design is complete and I’m hopeful that the plans will be unveiled at the next Trinity Ward Committee meeting (Thursday 22^nd September, 7.30pm at Sutton Town Hall).

The original money set aside for the ‘modernisation and refurbishment’ programme (£236,000) was clawed back into the central city council pot in 2010, when the building was closed. (see page 11: cabinetsuttonlibrary)

Now that the plans are coming together, I’ve asked for it back.