Grimsby Central Library repair bill could reach £13m, council leader calls for public debate
Councillors back urgent safety work but question how much should be spent restoring the building
The leader of North East Lincolnshire Council says there needs to be a public debate on how much would be acceptable to spend restoring Grimsby Central Library to its former use.
The committee overseeing the Library has called for urgent capital spending to replace the it's leaking roof, address other possible water entry points and remove all asbestos from the building.
The cost of this work is estimated at £2.8m, rising to £3.4m including a 20 per cent contingency, with most of the cost linked to asbestos removal.
However, a council-commissioned independent report published last week put the total cost of fully repairing and refitting the building at between £12.3m and £13.6m, depending on the type of refit.
“At some point or other, there has to be a public debate and a debate amongst us,” said Cllr Jackson, referring to councillors, about whether spending £13m on the library building represented a good use of money.
Panel chair Cllr Steve Holland said: “These are urgent works that if they’re not done that will lead to higher costs.”
Cllr Jackson added: “We have made a commitment to the future of the building but that can’t be at any cost. Once you’re deciding that acceptable cost, where are you going to get that money from.”
Panel member Cllr Malcolm Morland questioned the value of carrying out the initial works if the building were later demolished, saying: “I do want the building to remain, but if it’s not going to, why spend it on that?”
Cllr Hayden Dawkins said: “It’s always been our commitment to keep the building but like we have said before, and that’s on record, that is subject to the cost.”
Councillors agreed the asbestos would need to be removed regardless of the building’s future, with Cllr Dawkins adding: “We’ve got to take the asbestos out regardless.”
Cllr James Cairns said the library should be seen “as an investment, not a liability,” adding: “We’ve got to find a way to make it pay its way.”