Questions over 'missing million' in Wolverhampton regeneration scheme

Councillor Simon Bennett, leader of the opposition Conservative group on Wolverhampton Council, said a third of the money earmarked for the regeneration of Wednesfield town centre had been spent before a spade had been put in the ground.

Councillor Bennett said he also wanted answers on why the scheme was taking so long to deliver, saying that rising costs over the past three years had eaten away at the funds.

In March 2021, the Government announced that Wednesfield town centre would receive a total of £3.2 million through the Levelling Up fund.

But a recent update from council officers revealed that just £2.17 million was now available for the project. Items such as a canopy over the market place - identified as a priority by traders - had been deleted due to the costs involved.

Councillor Bennett said the money had been secured following successful lobbying by former Wolverhampton North East MP Jane Stevenson, and the intention was that it would all be spent on the town centre.

"Jane Stevenson successfully lobbied the Government for £3.2 million, and the understanding was that this would all be spent in Wednesfield town centre," he said.

"Now, three years on,  we learn that more than a million of that money has been spent, and no work has yet taken place.

"The things that the traders had asked for, like a canopy over the market stalls, have been dropped, and what we are left with is little more than a paving scheme.

"I want to know where the 'missing million' has been spent. Has it gone on consultancy fees? If so, then the council should be footing the bill for that, it should not come out of money that was earmarked specifically for regeneration."

Councillor Bennett said there was a similar shortfall in a levelling-up project in Bilston.

A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council said:  "As with any major development project, critical work is  necessary during the pre-construction phase, such as the requirement for feasibility studies, surveys, site investigations, procurement and detailed design, to enable a start on site.

"I can assure the people of Wednesfield the funding has been allocated in a way that ensures the project will deliver value for money.“

The spokesman, who declined to be named, said of all the projects allocated cash through the Towns Fund, Wednesfield and Bilston were always scheduled to be delivered towards the end of the overall programme. 

"It was also necessary on both schemes to allow time for residents and traders to have their say through extensive public consultation and consider feedback before any final plans were drawn up.“

He said both schemes were on track to be completed before the Towns Fund deadline of March 2026.

The latest plan for Wednesfield include an 'enhanced southern gateway', with better pedestrian routes, upgraded paving and additional landscaping. Lighting will be improved in Bealey's Fold, with planters murals and pedestrian-friendly features. Street-lighting will also be improved, to make it more energy efficient, and trees will gain uplighters. 

Special areas will be created for holding events in the High Street, along with new seating and sustainable 'rain gardens', which are specially below ground level to absorb water.

But canopies over the market were removed on the grounds of costs, while improvements to CCTV coverage and car parking were considered to be outside the scope of the scheme. 

The council spokesman said: “A strong case was made to convince the previous government to include Bilston and Wednesfield town centres as part of the Towns Fund for Wolverhampton.

“Since then, the City Investment Board, consisting of senior representatives from organisations playing a lead role in the city, continue to oversee the excellent progress across all the projects linked to this funding, making a real difference to residents and businesses."

He said technical plans were in the process of being drawn up for the Wednesfield improvements, and a contractor was due to be appointed to deliver the works that are expected to start in the coming months.

“Meanwhile, works on the new-look Bilston outdoor market are well underway with demolition now complete, the foundations going down and the main construction due to start imminently on a modern facility that will enhance Bilston market and the town centre for everyone," he said.