A key scheme aimed at improving Solihull town centre still needs vital funding to help it progress.

A report to the West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) Investment Board showed the Solihull Town Centre Public Realm Improvement scheme still needing £148,000 funding before the next phase can begin.

WMCA bosses are set to meet with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) next month to receive an update on the scheme's progress.

The aim of the project is to upgrade pedestrian pathways, squares and green spaces to improve visitor experience, link to transport hubs, retail areas and park and tie in with other major regeneration schemes such as Mell Square.

The go-ahead for the joint WMCA and SMBC project was given in 2019 with a budget of £575,000 and an original completion date of 2022.

This was then put back to 2025 but further issues resulted in an amended outline business case (OBC) being submitted in July seeking the £148,000 funding.

The issues around this project were discussed at an Investment Board meeting back in August.

The report to Investment Board, which met on October 19, said: "The project remains red as the next stage of development and delivery is dependent on securing further funding.

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"An updated Draft OBC was resubmitted on 1 July 2026, seeking £148k of IP funding from available underspend for short-term interventions.

"Funding sources have since been identified but are yet to be secured, with the overall funding approach still under development.

"Following WMCA review, stakeholder comments were returned to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on 17 July 2026.

"A meeting between WMCA and SMBC was held on 17 September to discuss progress.

"It was agreed that SMBC would respond to the stakeholder queries and submit the Final OBC. If this is not possible, SMBC will review the current position internally and agree next steps around redesigning the approach.

"A further meeting is scheduled for 4 November 2026, when SMBC will provide an update on progress."