THE leader of Redditch Borough Council says he is "disappointed" that a £5 million boost for the town has been "provisionally withdrawn."

It's been announced that the Government is minded to withdraw funding for cultural projects, which includes the £5m awarded to Redditch Borough Council earlier this year.

Back in March, the council received a letter to announce that Redditch Borough Council was provisionally awarded millions of capital funding as part of the Spring Budget, to support local culture projects in the area.

Labour's Joe Baker, leader of the council, has said the money was considered "vital" to the Redditch community to improve the area.

The council will also be putting forward the case that the funding should be reconsidered for Redditch.

Councillor Baker said: “Whilst we fully appreciate the financial pressures facing Government, of course we are very disappointed that the £5m announced to us earlier this year, has now been provisionally withdrawn.

"The previous Government had set aside the funding/allocation however we have always known that this has been under review and not guaranteed.

“We did consider this money was vital to our communities, and the groups and organisations who were going to use these funds to enhance and improve our local area and the cultural opportunities available.

He added: “Therefore, positively we will use the consultation process offered by Government to put forward our case for the funds to be reconsidered for Redditch.”

On 20 November 2023, the Government announced that they had set aside £100 million for levelling up culture projects.

The plans have now changed due to budget decisions made on October 30, 2024.