“IT’S ALL about delivering better outcomes for the town and the people of Redditch” – that’s the message from Council Leader Matt Dormer on the eve of 2022.
Councillor Dormer, who admits he’s ‘not about being popular’ and who has courted controversy with plans to move the town centre library to the Town Hall and earmark land at Ipsley Meadow for a cemetery, has a full agenda for the year ahead.
With the caveat of local elections in May, which, given the Redditch system of elections by thirds would still see the Conservatives retain control whatever the result, he is keen for the party in power to show it can deliver on its promises.
Redditch received a shot in the arm in 2021 after being awarded £15.6million from the Towns Fund, and spending at least some of that money will be on the agenda in 2022.
“We need to progress what we can, the library, improving the public realm, and really pushing the climate agenda,” he said.
“I want to give the new library its own identity, and I would like to think we could have a new library offer in place by the end of the year.
“Of course, reality plays a part too, but we should aim high even if reality is another six months behind.”
On climate change, he said: “We have got to push harder on this – at how can we get things cleaner and greener.
“We have funding to put in around 50 electric car charging points and we just need to crack on with it.”
Money of course is in short supply and Coun Dormer (Con, West) said he would be talking to partners and applying for more grants to help develop the town.
“We’re focused on bids and getting more money in, funding for levelling up, we have to look at what’s available and what’s coming down the track.
“We’ve got to look at working with our partners, the Local Enterprise Partnerships, West Midlands Combined Authority and so on.”
Closer to home, he says one priority is raising the aspirations of local youngsters.
“I intend to engage more with local high schools to do this,” he said.
“I’m part of Redditch business leaders and I want to get more involved in helping young people reach their potential.
“Every day is a school day, – you are always learning and we have so many vacancies for good jobs in Redditch – it’s about upskilling our workforce.
“I want us to push forward and build this town up to where it should be.”
