Redditch set to be "safest town in England" - council claim

Lianne Cooper

12 May 2008

REDDITCH will be the safest town in England by 2026 - that the bold claim contained in the council's latest development strategy.
As Redditch Borough Council prepares to launch a consultation period for its Issues and Options Document and Sustainable Community Strategy today (Friday, May 9), promises have already been made for the town to be "distinctively green, highly accessible, culturally and ecologically rich, and the safest town in England" within 20 years.
A spokesperson for the council added: "Redditch will have achieved regeneration of its pockets of deprived areas and the borough will have attractive facilities, vibrant centres, diverse employment areas and new housing of the best possible quality with development that will have been carbon neutral for many years.
"And the people of Redditch will be healthy and highly skilled."
Residents, workers and visitors to the town are being asked to put their views forward on the strategy over the next six weeks.
However, Conservative group leader Carole Gandy urged caution, saying she would make no actual promises that the town would be the safest in the country by 2026.
"Over the next 20 years, we will do our utmost to make sure Redditch is a safer town," she told The Standard.
"But to compare ourselves to other towns, especially those with smaller populations, would be wrong. I am not a fan of league tables and charts - it is no good if Redditch is the safest town in England compared to others if it is still unsafe generally.
"We will be working closely with the police over this period to combat anti-social behaviour, vandalism and crime to make Redditch as safe as possible."
John Staniland, head of planning at the council, said the strategy was an important and far-reaching chance for people to get involved in shaping the future of their town.
"Whether people live, work in or just visit Redditch, we want to hear their views over the next six weeks," he said.
The council is undertaking the strategy on behalf of the Redditch Partnership, an umbrella group which takes in local authorities, emergency services and health groups across the town.
Exhibitions and drop-in sessions for residents wishing to find out more about the strategy will be taking place across the town over the coming weeks.
To find out more call 01527 65216.

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