FRANKLEY’S library has avoided the axe under council plans designed to slash running costs, but has had its reduced opening hours confirmed.

As reported by the Advertiser last year, Birmingham City Council drew up plans to close some of the city’s 37 libraries to make savings of £1.9 million per year.

Following a 12-week public consultation, Frankley Library has not been closed but has had its opening hours reduced from 22.5 a week to 21, becoming a 'Tier 2' library.

Cllr Ian Ward, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “When we launched our period of public consultation last year, I made it very clear that this was a genuine consultation through which we wanted to hear any alternative ideas citizens had that would deliver a library service within the financial constraints the council is having to operate under.

“I am delighted by the engagement we have had through our series of public meetings, consultation survey, petitions and other channels.

“Almost 2,000 formal responses were received, which confirms how well-regard the city’s service is – and by working collaboratively we’ve been able to come up with revised proposals that address our challenges and broadly meet the wishes of partners and citizens.

“We’ve come up with a set of proposals that mean just one of our 37 community libraries will have to close, this being Kents Moat.”

The site, considered a ‘Community Library’, had a total of 30,450 visitors in 2015/16, a consultation found.

It was the ninth cheapest site to run at £90,367, but also the most expensive library for “cost per issue” at £10.80, partly due to having only 8369 books issued that year - the third lowest of the council's 37 libraries.