A funding package for Rainham’s proposed new library will go before Havering Council’s cabinet meeting next week.

Under the scheme, the council will hope to raise �1.8m for the library by selling 16 flats and leasing some shops within the site.

This money would be added to �2.2m of funding already agreed by the Mayor of London’s office, as announced by Cllr Roger Ramsey (Emerson Park, Conservative) at the last full council meeting.

If the cabinet approves the scheme, it will go before the full council on Wednesday July 18th.

The library was held up when the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) was wound up and responsibility transferred to the Mayor’s office – prompting Cllr Jeff Tucker (Rainham and Wennington, Independent Residents’ Group) to ask about progress at last month’s meeting.

Councillor Michael Armstrong, cabinet member with responsibility for the Rainham Compass redevelopment project, said: “A new library and lifelong learning centre is a cornerstone of our Rainham Compass project. It’s been a frustrating time while the project was held up, first by the recession and then by the change of responsibility, but now we’re closing in on a deal to make it happen.

“This library will be a fantastic addition to Rainham and something that will really benefit the village community for generations to come.”