Councils challenged to be ‘innovative and creative’ as Welsh Government offer assistance to adjust town centres to deal with pandemic

Councils across Wales are being urged to be “innovative and creative” in making town and city centres accessible for visitors both during and after the pandemic.

Speaking yesterday Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said the Welsh Government would assist councils wherever it could.

He also cited research that indicates 60 per cent of people are still too nervous to leave their own homes.

During the last Welsh Government review two weeks ago First Minister Mark Drakeford indicated that businesses in Wales should use the next few weeks to prepare for reopening.

Although no firm date has been given yet, as part of a ‘traffic light’ roadmap released by the Welsh Government in May it was stated that adaptations would need to be made to the public realm – such as town centres – to allow for social distancing as and when restrictions are reduced.

Last week we reported that that the Leader of Wrexham Council, councillor Mark Pritchard had said the Welsh Government would need to fund steps to help reopening the town centre.

When we asked what changes the local authority would need to put in place to ensure people are kept safe when businesses are given the go ahead to reopen, and giving a few examples of whats happening elsewhere,  Cllr Pritchard said there hadn’t “been a discussion on providing hand-sanitisers as the town centre hasn’t opened” and that money would be needed from the Welsh Government and Westminster to fund any alterations to the public realm.

We have been told that a “walk around” of the town centre with senior councillors and officers took place later that day to look at what steps could be taken locally.

Across the border in Chester changes have already been made to the public realm in preparation for when shops reopen on June 15th in England – not Wales. These include widening pavements to provide more space to social distancing, one way systems in place, plus advice in a ten point plan – all being lead by the ChesterBID team. Wrexham does not yet have a BID after missing a round of Welsh Government funding, however there are steps being taken to get one going locally.

Up the road Chester council are implementing “pop-up measures to help with social distancing” could be a common sight more locally as public realms change. https://t.co/lAE8slGVI0

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 8, 2020

At yesterday’s Welsh Government briefing we asked Mr Skates in his view what practical steps should councils be taking to reopen towns and cities safely during the pandemic and how far into the planning should councils be.

We also asked for clarity if there would be any further funding from the Welsh Government to support and pay for such changes.

Mr Skates said the role of councils in making sure the public realm is safe for people to access again is “critical” and that there are “councils across Wales who have done an enormous amount of work.”

He said: “I don’t underestimate the effort that has to go into the process of making public places safe, but the Welsh Government is working with local authorities.

“We’re also making available a significant sum of money for road reprioritisation measures, that could include installing temporary active travel and bus dedicated lanes, the infrastructure that’s required for active travel on buses.

“It will also entail looking at how we can make physical adaptations to town centres and high streets to support potentially the hospitality sector and the retail sector to use road space where it is deemed appropriate by local authorities.

“I do recognise and all of my colleagues recognise the enormous financial pressure that councils are under right now and we wish to assist wherever we can.

“But we’re also looking to local authorities and to town and community councils, to be creative, to be innovative and to provide us with ideas on how we can adjust to a new normal.”

“That’s why I’m keen to work with my colleagues Hannah Blythen in housing and regeneration to ensure that we make the most of that innovation and creativity in town councils and local authorities, and support them in taking advantage of lower volumes of traffic, to support high streets, town centres and vitally important hospitality businesses.”

Last month Mr Skates had pointed to a ‘Covid Kitemark’ style accreditation idea to help reassure people visiting businesses in the new pandemic world. Yesterday we asked if that idea for standards and reassurance had progressed, and if there was any work with UK Government on the idea, and if not, is it an idea being progressed in Wales.

The Minister replied, “Well, it is progressing, but it is not progressing the UK level as far as I am aware.

“I still believe that the kitemark could give confidence to citizens in accessing business premises. It’s something I am keen that sectors themselves, sector bodies, look at. I know that some sector bodies in particular have been very enthused by the idea, and I welcome any form any adjusted existing kite mark or new kitemark that would give confidence to the general public.”