Agreement proposed to drive town centre improvements
Dudley Council chiefs are being asked to back plans to work with the government on multi-million improvement plans for Brierley Hill and Halesowen.
The authority’s ruling cabinet will be asked to back proposals which would see the council sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
It commits both parties to press ahead together with improvement plans for the two town centres. Both Brierley Hill and Halesowen have secured £20 million each through the Levelling Up Fund.
In Halesowen, the money is earmarked on bringing vacant buildings in the town centre back to use and redeveloping the Pool Road multi-storey car park into a new surface level site.
It will also see improvements to Halesowen Town Hall, including a brand new entrance, and other improvements around it at the top part of the town.
Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said:
“The signing of the MoU is a commitment from both parties to work together to drive improvements in Brierley Hill and Halesowen town centres.
“It will allow us to set in stone what we want to spend the funding on.
“We will be acting on public feedback in Halesowen to deliver a significantly revised project to that which was first proposed.
“It is an opportunity to deliver a real shot in the arm for both towns, to drive more trade and footfall and create new jobs.”
The proposal will be discussed at the next meeting of Dudley Council’s cabinet. It takes place on Thursday June 19 from 6.15pm in Committee Room 2 at Dudley Council House. Members of the public are welcome to attend.