Agenda item

Two questions were submitted for consideration in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

Town’s Fund Bid

Councillor Andrew Fry asked the Leader the following question:

“To ask the Leader of the Council if he will update the Council on the outcome of the Towns Fund Bid, including the response by the Towns Fund board to the further information required by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the proposed demolition of the Town Centre Library and future Library provision. Further, will the Leader set out the proposals for public consultation on the future provision of Library Services in Redditch Town Centre.”

The Leader provided the following answer:

“In early June 2021, the Government announced Redditch had been awarded £15.6 million through The Town Fund. The Heads of Terms document was subsequently agreed by the Redditch Town Deal Board and returned to the Government on 29^th June 2021.

Following the summer, Town Deal Board meetings and project prioritisation session documentation was sent to the Government on 27^th August 2021 identifying the projects to be progressed.  These were:

·                Development of a new digital manufacturing and innovation centre

·                Redevelopment of Redditch Library

·                Town Centre public realm improvements

With regard to the information concerning the library, Worcestershire County Council, which was the owner/occupier of the library building, was represented on the Town Deal Board and was fully engaged with the project. Officers had established a project group with Worcestershire County Council’s library and property services colleagues to discuss the needs of the service and infrastructure requirements. Site options for the relocation of the service and proposed consultation plan would be investigated and drafted through the project group and circulated at the appropriate time.”

Councillor Fry subsequently asked the following supplementary question:

“I’m informed that the Library and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be located in the Town Hall.  The DWP previously contributed considerable income to Worcestershire County Council when it had offices based in the library.  Will that money be provided to Redditch Borough Council if the DWP is located in the Town Hall?”

The Leader responded by explaining that no decision had yet been taken about the location of the library.  Any decision on this subject would need to be taken by Worcestershire County Council, not Redditch Borough Council.  Consequently, it was not possible to provide an answer to this question at the meeting.

Ipsley Meadow

Mr I. Willcock asked the Leader the following question:

“What is the designation of Ipsley Meadow in the Council’s Local Plan. Is it or is it not Public Open Space?”

The Leader provided the following answer:

“Yes, the land is designated as Primarily Open Space in the Borough of Redditch Local Plan, which is one of the classifications of public open space.”

Mr Willcock subsequently asked the following supplementary question:

“How will the Council protect open space in future when the Council is looking to develop this space?”

The Leader responded by explaining that he could not comment on any live planning applications.  It was also not possible to enter into a debate at the Council meeting in respect of this matter, when considering Questions on Notice.  However, members of the public had an opportunity to comment on specific planning applications at meetings of the Planning Committee and could also register to speak further at meetings of other Committees.