TOP talks took place yesterday on how to proceed with Redditch’s Town Deal bid, which could see the council awarded up to £25million.
Members of the newly-established Redditch Town Deal Board gathered round the table for the first time to discuss how the cash could be invested.
The board, made up of councillors, organisations and businesses, has begun preparing a town investment plan to submit to the Government.
At the end of last year, Redditch Borough Council approved regeneration plans for the town centre which will also be included in the investment plan.
The plans focus on four regeneration quarters in the town: Station and Residential, Education and Enterprise, Retail and Leisure and Public Sector and Cultural.
The Church and the ‘old town’ would anchor the four quarters and a strategy will be devised to link these areas together, creating open spaces and clearer routes.
Council leader Matt Dormer said the first meeting was all about discussing rules, timelines and what is expected from the board.
“We will meet on a needs must basis and our plan is to unlock the potential of Redditch for future generations.
“It is important that we keep up the momentum of this process so that these Town Deal funds do not slip through our fingers.”
Redditch MP Rachel Maclean said it’s crucial that Redditch ‘seizes this moment’ and secures the funds.
“£25million is a lot of money and residents will quite rightly expect us to ensure it will be spent on projects and ideas to improve their town.
“We need Redditch to be a great place to live, work and play.
“The regeneration of the town centre is vital to this.”
