I'll fight tooth and nail for Redditch, vows new council leader

The new leader of Redditch Borough Council has said he will "fight tooth and nail" for the area - with his main priority attracting more people into the town.

Conservative councillor Matt Dormer is back for a second spell as the authority's leader, after his party teamed up with Reform UK and independents to kick Labour from office.

The politician said he was busy drawing up plans for the town, which will include talks with the Kingfisher shopping centre about what can be done to boost investment in Redditch.

He also intends to review the future of the outdoor market, and increase parking enforcement. "We've got work to do," he said.

Dormer also said he would seek assurances from Worcestershire County Council that Redditch Library will be "brought up to spec", with the aim of securing its long-term future.

The Tories did previously draw up plans to demolish and relocate the library, but they were scrapped when Labour gained control of the authority in 2024.

"When I was last leader, I knew that building had a shelf-life and that it had lots of issues," he said.

"I'm not saying we're going to knock it down, I know some people were against what we were looking to do, and I get that - what we have to ensure now is its longevity.

"I will be seeking assurances from the county council that the building can be brought up to spec, and that it has a future in the town."

Dormer said reducing the number of empty homes in Redditch and investing in council housing stock were also high on his agenda.

The town's outdoor market, which was relaunched last year, will come under sharp scrutiny by his administration and could be axed if an alternative can be settled upon.

"I've got a lot of work to do - I'll be fighting tooth and nail for Redditch," said Dormer.

"Parking, for example, is a big issue around this town. I will aim to address it, especially around school drop-off-time.

"We need to improve parking enforcement. And we'll review the outdoor market arrangement - I think we can do a lot better with that.

"The regular 'old school' market is dead, people's spending habits have changed - but what has survived is your artisan markets, your food and drink festivals, and that type of offer.

"The area around Church Green is the perfect location for those occasional types of markets - I'll be looking to have talks with the BID (Redditch's Business Improvement District, which represents traders) to see what we can do there."

Meanwhile, the leader of the council's opposition Labour group said it would be holding the new leadership to account.

Labour still holds 13 of the council's 27 seats, but lost power after the Tories secured a deal with Reform UK and the independents.

Councillor Sharon Harvey, Labour group leader, said: "We'll be a really strong opposition - we have left the council in a fantastic position.

"We know exactly what's going on at the council, because we've been in control of it for the past two years.

"We will hold them to account - we need to make sure they don't mess it up."

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