 Whitby points to the improvements made in key Council departments including Housing, Planning and Social Services whilst citing the increase Birmingham has made in indices such as the Mercer World Quality of Living Report, in which in 2011 Birmingham climbed three places to 52nd, ahead of all UK cities except the capital.Whitby has been heavily involved in a number of large infrastructure projects in Birmingham.The £189 m Library of Birmingham project, which was due to open to the public on 3 September 2013, has been a commitment of Whitby's throughout his leadership for which he takes personal responsibility.