Janet Finch-Saunders;Today’s debate looks at ways in which we can revitalise, reinvigorate and regenerate our communities across Wales. ‘Vibrant and Viable Places’ is a good start, and we fully support this initiative. However, if you were to mention this buzzword to many of our business owners who are working hard today, I am not sure whether they would understand what that means. So, there needs to be some link up with our local businesses.
The Welsh high street fulfils an essential role for community engagement, boosting local economies and enhancing civic pride. The high street is not simply an economic environment for retail; it is a social arena for community development and engagement. Local community empowerment is a central theme of the Welsh Conservative vision for our high streets, our towns and our communities. Our policy ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ looks at regenerating the high street as the heart of public life, ensuring its very survival in this digital age, and the Centre for Regeneration Excellence in Wales endorses our message around mixed-use space in town centres. Bringing homes above our shops is one way in which to regenerate, yet, despite Planning Policy Wales in 2011 encouraging mixed-use development, too many local authorities resist innovation, allowing town centres to dwindle. Welsh high streets are struggling to remain relevant. The rise of internet shopping and the development of out-of-town shopping centres pose a significant threat. It is time for some new thinking to ensure that our high streets can exist alongside the thriving internet businesses.
Welsh Government must set the scene by encouraging local authorities to create a varying range of business, leisure, housing and community use. Office use can be an important element of any high street. March 2000 figures show that footfall in shops in Wales dropped by 2.7% on the previous year. Across the UK, however, there has been a positive increase in footfall. It is time to act, and it is time for change.
Recently, I had the pleasure of chairing a seminar for the Policy Forum for Wales on ‘Regeneration: targeting funding and developing new projects’. It was an excellent event with many good speakers, and, more importantly, many within the audience working within the regeneration agenda across Wales speaking up to share their own ideas and some good practice. A common theme coming forward was that there is a tremendous amount of good practice going on across local authorities, the private sector, and the third sector. The issue is how do we, and how does the Welsh Government, join this up.
There was recognition of how people living within their own communities can be empowered to help in the regeneration, and how they can feel recognised and empowered by local and central Welsh government. There were discussions coming forward about how devolution is affecting regeneration and how, here in Wales, we have so many reasons to be enthusiastic about regeneration and the benefits that this can bring in terms of the overall socioeconomic potential and general improvements to the health and welfare agenda. After all, it is a simple fact that people feel so much better in regenerated towns, cities, and indeed within their own vibrant communities.
Only last week I was proud to launch the Wales in Bloom competition here in the Senedd, followed the next day with the north Wales launch, with the benefits alone that this competition brings, allowing local authorities and community groups to work together, often with very little funding, to succeed in tidying up and enhancing our town centres, our streets, our local areas, and our seaside resorts. However, it was sad to learn that they have had their funding withdrawn by the Welsh Government and now they have to rely on other forms to attract sufficient funds to do this. I also learned that, of the 22 local authorities, four now just do not bother allowing for participation. I can only say that that is a mistake, given the continued benefit that this competition brings.
We also discussed city regions at the seminar. Councillor David Phillips gave a presentation on the merits and the challenges of the Swansea bay city region. Judith Alfrey from Cadw spoke well on the many opportunities and the importance that our own heritage presents, and the sheer importance of its integration within any regeneration agenda—Wales is home to so many beautiful historic buildings—and how the historical environment contributes some £840 million to Wales’s national gross value added.
They also represent the views—. Sorry, I am talking now about town-centre managers. They are a vibrant and really important part of our town centres. Colwyn Bay, in Darren Millar’s constituency, has an amazing town-centre manager who really joins up the local authority with business and the community and holds events.
Minister, again, there are so many tools in the box ready to be used, and there are so many good people out there wanting to help. Work with us and them, and together let us go regenerate.