The Welsh Conservatives have always supported our local High Streets, so imagine our disappointment to read the High Street vacancy statistics, published on Thursday, which showed that Wales has the highest vacancy rate in the UK – 4 whole percentage points higher than England!
We have seen few tangible results from the Welsh Labour Government’s Support Your High Street campaign; and now, with nearly 1 in 6 of our shops standing empty, it is high time that this Labour overturned their persistent failure to promote high streets and town centres.
There are questions to be answered:
· Despite extensive monitoring, why have the Welsh Labour Government, unlike other UK Governments, failed to reduce our high street vacancy rates?
· What progress has been seen on the recommendations of the Business and Enterprise Committee’s 2012 report on the Regeneration of Town Centres?
· And; What measures are the Welsh Government taking to incentivise and encourage businesses to locate on to our high streets?
We are calling today for improved practices over High Street Management, Business Rates, Accessibility and Planning – lead by communities and local knowledge.
Our Charter for the High Street highlights the importance of full community engagement and sustainable planning to ensure that ‘mixed use’ is a permanent fixture of our high streets, to boost the high street economy and accessibility.
On accessibility, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents has highlighted that the decreasing availability of parking spaces is detrimental to their businesses; and has called for consultation with local businesses to inform the development of parking policies and schemes.
In addition to this, high streets and communities need improved and sustainable public transport – the Welsh Labour Government’s devastating cuts to bus operator grants have impacted hugely on our more rural and isolated communities; and I look forward to the outcome of the Enterprise and Business Committee’s enquiry into Bus and Community Transport Services in Wales.
I would like to ask, how is the Welsh Labour Government working with businesses to improve and increase mobility initiatives on our high streets? Given the demographics of my constituency of Aberconwy, this is a particular concern.
In terms of supporting business – when there are 45 different Welsh Government bodies to lead regional growth and development, it’s no wonder that businesses and Local Authorities find it hard to navigate!
It is disappointing to note that 7 of the 11 eligible Local Authorities have already had applications rejected for the Vibrant and Viable Places Fund; and I’d like to know how the Welsh Labour Government is working to improve accessibility and guidance on applications and the funding available?
Invest Wales would regionalise banking to reduce complex red tape, and to ensure local knowledge delivers effective local financial support for our businesses.
Last week, I highlighted that business rate relief is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the Welsh Labour Government; and again this week The Welsh Conservatives’ stance on abolishing rate relief for all businesses valued up to £12,000 is supported by many business owners and chambers of commerce; and again I will reiterate our call to the Welsh Labour Government for a full business rate review.
Minister; there has never been a better time to act to regenerate our high streets!
· the OECD has forecast the British economy will grow at 2.4% this year;
· wages have risen 2.9% this year and the National Living Wage will come into play next year;
· and tax reductions from the Conservative Government in Westminster will benefit 1.4 million people in Wales in real terms.
We need to seize this opportunity, while the time is right, and seriously consider our proposals in ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ and ‘Invest Wales’.
The Conservative UK Government are doing their utmost to help high streets to flourish; and it is high time that the Welsh Labour Government took some responsibility to address the challenges facing our communities.