To put forward any others items of business.
Minutes:
The Chairman felt it was important to make reference to Covid-19 and the impact the virus had had on the country. He raised concerns that people could not just be accepted to ‘get on with it’ as they had done for the previous six months. Collectively the community needed to come together to protect the short-term future of Crewe as well as its long-term future. He acknowledged that it might be out of the remit of the Board to raise this point but felt the Board played a role in making a difference to the lives of those people living in Crewe, by leading and by being proactive in doing something that ensured the community of Crewe survived the next six months.
In response Kieran Mullan MP, stated that he had established a weekly charities/communities hall prior to lockdown and during. A number of charities involved in this working together and if anyone wanted to be involved then to contact him.
In addition it was noted that Crewe Town Council had supported the community by delivering prescriptions, distribution of PPE to care homes and so forth. The Events Officer was looking at arranging Covid friendly events and it was hoped broadcasts would take place informing people what was happening outside of Crewe for example the role of the Board and the work the Town Council was undertaking.
The Executive Director-Place felt several important points had been raised and it was important to instil confidence in local communities, therefore it was essential that as much as possible was done to get the key messages out. He suggested forward planning at a strategic level whereby all could share their thoughts on how to provide confidence during the winter to local communities would be essential. In the early days the Board had been used as a really helpful communication and exchange mechanism.
Councillor N Mannion advised that Macclesfield Town Council and, Cheshire East Council and local hospitality groups were working on a recovery plan for the Town Council in the short term and he suggested that both Macclesfield and Crewe Town Councils could work collaboratively over the next 6 to 12 months.
In addition to the earlier points raised, the Director for Growth & Enterprise commented that he led a multi-disciplinary team in Cheshire East around business and town centre recovery. It was essential to work together and liaise with the town council in order to create vitality and bring people back into the town centre. It was agreed that support to retailers was essential
Some of issues raised related to the NHS and people directorate of Cheshire East Council rather than place and the Council had comprehensive winter plans to support communities. If anyone wanted further information the documents were available on both the Council’s website and the NHS website.
Further comments were made in respect of the role of the Board an there being an opportunity which would send a clear message to local communities that the Board had a clear vision independent from the work already being undertaken by individuals.
The Chairman welcomed the thoughts of Board members and further consideration as to how to take things forward need to take place outside of the meeting. Whether the Board was the right vehicle was not clear but collectively he felt it would be positive if something could be done to ensure Crewe was supported over the next 6 months otherwise a lot of what was being looked at by the Board might become worthless.
It was suggested that the Communication & Engagement Sub-Group could discuss the points raised at its meeting later on in the afternoon.