Second State of the Area debate to be held in Kidderminster (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Second State of the Area debate to be held in Kidderminster

8:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News

A STATE of the Area debate will be held in Kidderminster for the second time in a bid to boost the local economy.

Shuttle editor Clive Joyce will be chairman of the panel, during the debate on March 7, which was held for the first time last year.

The event has been expanded to include a regeneration fair and a formal public meeting.

There will also be progress reports from last year and a chance for people to raise questions or state their views.

Visitors can view some initial ideas for Kidderminster town centre public realm, discuss alternative forms of travel around the district and explore ways to grow local businesses.

Local business leaders and residents are being encouraged to share their views on the economic development of the area.

Conservative John Campion, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: “There will be displays and exhibition stands at the regeneration fair so that visitors can network with local business providers and experts on business development and economic regeneration.

“Providing business incubator units, business rates for new shops and a transport hub at the railway station in Kidderminster are current hot topics.”

He added: “Since our State of the Area debate last year focusing on the local economy, we have taken forward many of the issues raised by partners and the public as well as setting aside £1,000,000 to support projects.

“These include relief on business rates for shops and the local apprentice scheme which have both been very successful. In our 2013/14 budget proposals, we have earmarked a further £500K towards the development of the local economy.

“We are also taking forward plans to improve Kidderminster town centre in terms of how it looks as well as connectivity. We will be revealing visual concepts for this transformation at this State of the Area event.

“This is an opportunity for people from across the district to see what has been achieved over the past year, hear about future plans and give us their views.”

The event will be held at Wyre forest House at 5pm with the formal debate starting at 6pm. People can submit questions to be debated on the night at wyreforestdc.gov.uk or on the council’s facebook and Twitter pages.