The Committee was presented with a discussion document to assist with Post Covid-19 recovery Planning for Gravesend Town Centre.

The Director (Communities) advised that creation of the report started three weeks into the lockdown but it constantly changed as the Government released new guidance every day.  The report strove to develop a plan for re-opening of the Town Centre and set out a full recovery plan. 

The Director (Communities) advised that the year started with approved extra budgets for various events planned throughout the year however as the pandemic worsened, the Council was forced to cancel all events for public safety. As a result, the Town Centre also saw a dramatic decrease in footfall as most stores closed and the public only ventured into Gravesend for food shopping or emergency supplies. 

The Director (Communities) informed the Committee that a team of officers within the Communities directorate formed a work group and created a Plan for Town Centre recovery which involved four main approaches, listed in full from pages 37-45 in the report. It was important that the approaches made were similar to other neighbouring local authorities so that there was unity across Kent:

·         Actions undertaken during the lock down

·         Planning for partial re-opening of the Town Centre

·         Celebration/Commemoration events going forward

·         Being part of the strategic plans for Kent

As mentioned at 6.3 of the report, social distancing measures for queuing outside of shops will commence from 15 June 2020 once the non-essential shops are allowed to reopen. The Director (Communities) explained to Members the team had been in discussions with the businesses in Gravesham to ensure social distancing was in place outside and inside the shops. In addition Parish Councils have been written to about social distancing in their village shops. There will be marshals in the Town Centre to ensure social distancing takes place and Parishes have been offered the services of volunteer marshals.

It was suggested by a Member of the Committee that the free period of two hours parking on a Saturday be extended to accommodate people who have had to wait in long lines, due to social distancing measures, to complete all of their shopping.

The Chair advised that car parking fell under the Leader’s portfolio and the point would be raised with him outside of the meeting.

Officers fielded questions and comments from the Committee and explained that:

·         The Council was waiting for  authorisation to purchase digital notice boards using Government grant money  to promote local activities

·         Due to the plans for socially distanced lines once New Road reopens its shops on June 15^th the benches will not be replaced however they will be left at key places at the end of New Road in each direction. The marshals will assist any elderly or disabled people to one of the benches location if they were in need; they would also be on hand to talk to staff in shops to let them in as a priority shopper

·         There is a comprehensive plan in place to install signage reminding shoppers to socially distance in the Town Centre; the Assistant Director (Communities) walked around the Town Centre with the suppliers identifying key places where the signs needed to be erected. They will be installed prior to 15 June 2020

·         The Environmental Health and Licensing Teams will be leading on giving advice to shop owners regarding social distancing within their premises and enforcing compliance; the team’s main focus will be on the small to medium sized businesses that may require further assistance to receive their certificate of compliance. Members were encouraged to submit anything they felt prudent, regarding assistance for the Town Centres shops, by email to the Assistant Director (Communities)

·         The Communities teams have been researching ways of commemorating the key workers and people who have died from COVID-19; it is likely that a plaque will be created and put up in the local hospital or somewhere similar. It has been deemed inappropriate to install anything at the moment but it will happen in the near future

·         As Captain Tom Moore was married in Gravesham, a letter of congratulations can be sent to him in recognition of his service and Knighthood

The Chair was happy for a letter to be sent out to Captain Tom Moore but he advised that it would be more suitable for the letter to be sent by the Mayor than the Committee.