With town centre regeneration a top priority for Rachel Maclean, the MP for Redditch County, she recently met with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to discuss the local Conservatives’ emerging vision for the future of Redditch.
Rachel has taken the issue of town centre regeneration to the highest ranks of Government to find out what support is available for towns, such as Redditch, to make them more attractive places to live, visit and invest.
During their meeting, the Treasury Minister confirmed to Rachel that last year the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced Redditch Borough Council would receive £5million to help revitalise the town centre.
However, not a single penny of this major cash boost for Redditch has been spent by the Labour-led Borough Council, despite the desperate need to regenerate the town centre.
A business case needs to be submitted by the Borough Council in order to access the £5million funding pot. Due to it being a large amount of taxpayer’s money, the Government needs to know the money will be spent wisely and appropriately.
Rachel said: “Since I was first elected I’ve spoken to hundreds of residents here in Redditch who are crying out for the Borough Council to unlock the full potential of our town centre.
“The Government is playing its part in helping to revitalise the town centre and I would urge Redditch council bosses to get on with submitting the business case as soon as possible to access the £5million.
“We live in a fantastic town which has so much to offer us all, but we could do so much better.
“Our town centre really could be a shopping destination which rivals Longbridge, Solihull and Birmingham, and offer a vibrant night life with bars and restaurants to attract residents and visitors of all ages.
“We need to unlock Redditch to release our town’s full potential.”