ENTERPRISE and culture chief Roger Phillips is stepping aside to focus on a series of bids that could net Herefordshire Council up to £23 million in European funding.

As of tonight the former council leader will head up the county’s bids for European Commission funding, which, if successful, could mean big money for enterprise and agriculture over the next six years.

In a process that could take up to six months Coun Phillips will be working alongside Local Enterprise Partners (LEPs) from Shropshire and Telford.

In the meantime his cultural portfolio will be handled by Harry Bramer and his responsibilities over enterprise will be taken on by council leader Anthony Johnson.

“The leader has asked me to do this,” said Coun Phillips.

“The next three to six months are extremely important.

“It could mean up to £23 million, and bids for national funding could bring in much more than that.”