William Eichler 02 September 2021

Welsh councils must provide ‘ambitious leadership’ to revive high street

Welsh councils must provide ‘ambitious leadership’ to revive high street  image

Local authorities in Wales have been urged to use their existing powers and resources to make town centres sustainable.

A new report from Wales’ Auditor General has found that one in seven shops on Welsh high streets are empty due to past policy choices, changing consumer expectations, technological advances, and COVID-19.

The Auditor General, Adrian Crompton, urged all levels of government to be ambitious in their efforts to revive the high street. However, he stressed that local authorities were key due to their wide range of statutory powers, which can determine the shape and environment of town centres from planning and transport to housing and tourism.

The report called on councils to use their existing powers and resources to focus on making town centres sustainable. It also urged them to work in collaboration with one another.

‘Rapid change is taking place in our town centres and the full impact of COVID-19 is yet to be felt,’ said Mr Crompton.

‘Priorities for action that appeared reasonable 18 months ago no longer reflect the changes that are taking place and the challenges that now need to be addressed.

‘National and local government need to deliver integrated solutions, make brave decisions and provide bold, ambitious leadership if we are to address the challenges facing our town centres.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Speech and Language Therapist Band 7

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£49,939 – £60,515 per annum
Speech and Language Therapist Band 7
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Resident Engagement Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£39,471 - £51,127 per annum
You will be reporting to Development Project managers – playing an important role in the design and development process, bringing your communications skills and innovative approaches to engagement, in order to engage with local communities, adding value Wandsworth High Street
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235
Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker - Children in Care

Durham County Council
£34,314 - £37,938 (pre-progression) / £39,513 - £43,693 (post-progression)
We are looking for a social worker who has completed their assessed and supported year in employment to join our Children in Care teams. In this role Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (pro rata to hours worked)
Part-Time Contract (Evenings and Weekends) Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.