As someone who lives in the Sutton Coldfield Trinity ward with a young family, I know how much local young families really miss and value our local library and the services it provided. 

Libraries aren’t just about books. They’re a safe space for young people to discover a love for reading, a place for older people to access IT and public services, and a refuge for young families to give and receive support.

You may have noticed when you received your most recent Council Tax bill that the Town Council has again increased the Council Tax precept by 16% for an average Band D property - increasing your tax bill for the second year running!

They’ve recently taken over the former Boldmere, Mere Green and Walmley libraries to reopen them as Town Council funded community libraries - a move I fully support. 

But they’ve made no commitment to reopen the Sutton Coldfield town centre library and relocate it into the Gracechurch shopping centre where it will benefit residents and drive footfall for our local businesses.

I’m asking you to sign my petition for Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council to commit to open negotiations to reopen the library in the former M&S premises, and fund the library with the Council Tax precept increase from this April.