COLCHESTER Council has set aside £550,000 to improve roads and £420,000 for policing as part of its “Better Colchester” campaign.

Cabinet members will discuss the strategic plan spending priorities at its next meeting.

It was agreed at the last cabinet meeting funds would be used for transport, cleaning up the town, homelessness, sports and health and fighting crime.

Colchester’s Local Highways Panel has already received an extra £100,000 to focus on potholes and dangerous junctions.

A further £117,000 has been set aside for plans to pedestrianise the High Street and improve transport.

It was hoped £550,000 could have been allocated, but Colchester Council is still in talks with Essex County Council about taking over responsibility of highways.

David King, councillor responsible for resources, said: “When the new administration came in we set out plans for a ‘Better Colchester’.

“The strategic planning ideas included money we could use without affecting core services so we could make change in the look, feel and vitality of Colchester.

“What we can do will depend on our partners and the pace of progress.

“We had allocated £550,000 for roads as we hoped we could get a delegation of authority from Essex County Council so we could manage the highways.

“That conversation still continues.

“Essex remains in control so until we have that power it wouldn’t be right to put more money in.”

Cleaning up the town centre is high on the agenda and deep cleans have already taken place. Recycling bins will be installed once licences are agreed by the county council, as well as extra litter bins.

The pedestrianisation of the High Street is being looked at by the public initiatives and policy panel and the Business Improvement District.

An art installation in Sir Isaacs Walk is planned for February and extra flower planters will be added to the High Street in the spring.

An extra £181,000 has been set aside for the town’s tourism campaign, with £40,000 going on six Christmas trees, and £3,000 on signage.Another £420,000 has been allocated for extra police and crime prevention.

By March next year the town centre should have a sergeant, a constable, three PCSOs, four special constables and an anti-social behaviour co-ordinator.

A Town Centre Action Plan has been agreed with the police targeting persistent begging, street drinking, anti-social behaviour and drug use.

The report said: “The agreed detailed allocations will not all be spent within this financial year, for example, the support for additional police resources covers a two-year period.

“£1.5 million of spend or commitment is expected by the end of year one.”

n A series of enforcement campaigns are being planned including gum, litter and fly tipping.

The next steps towards building the Northern Gateway are due to be published and by the end of the month.

The council will find out from Sport England how much “delivery phase” funding it will get.