The We Are Colchester partnership has secured £18.2m funding from the Government’s Town Deal Fund. A total of £1 million of this will go towards the first phases of restoring Grade ll listed Victorian water tower Jumbo, which is owned by Paul Flatman. Colchester Council’s cabinet discussed the funding allocations for the Government Town Deal cash at a meeting on Wednesday. Visiting councillor Lee Scordis questioned whether allocating £1 million to a private building was a fair use of money. In response, Darius Laws, councillor responsible for economy, business and heritage, said there was a “conversation” ongoing on the future ownership of the building.