As a district in Lancashire which has experienced both national lockdowns and periods of local lockdown throughout the majority of 2020, a key focus for us has been both how we support local communities and help business recover. At one time we had one of the highest infection rates in the country. Whilst the rest of the country has struggled with the second lockdown, like many parts of Lancashire, we have hardly been out of restrictions since March.
We have done a lot to address the situation. We’ve supported 1,600 local businesses through the Government’s business grant schemes. We were quick out of the blocks in the summer appointing our own COVID-19 business advisor who has kept us in touch with the needs of business and provided practical support to over 60 in recent weeks. Our Rossendale Connected Hub has supported over 2,000 people and galvanised over 60 community groups to co-ordinate support. We’ve also set up our own tracing approach using environmental health officers. We have shown that a really local approach works.
We’ve gone further than most small authorities by commissioning research to explore the impact of COVID on businesses and public attitudes. Two thirds of businesses had seen at least a 25% reduction in their turnover. Micro businesses have been particularly affected. The Government’s support has had a positive effect in stabilising a large number of local businesses. However, 68% of our businesses are at risk of collapse if sufficient financial support is not sustained until a full recovery is made. They need the existing financial support to remain in place whilst any local lockdown restrictions are in place.
Locally, the leisure/cultural sector plays a significant part in both the economy. Rossendale’s Leisure Trust has not been eligible for Government financial support during the summer. The process to allocate the Government’s £100m fund to support the leisure sector must be accelerated to give the sector confidence and to manage cash flow.
Local public attitudes have changed since the summer. Only 58% of local people agreed with the tier 3/national lockdown measures. This compares to over 90% support for the first lockdown measures. 69% of people think the measures will probably not significantly halt the current high rate of infection in Rossendale. There is strong evidence that the public have become less concerned about the perception of risk associated with the second wave of infections. There is also considerable confusion amongst the public as a result of regularly changing Government guidance. Four out of five people locally think the recent rise in COVID cases are most likely due to people getting tired of the rules.
We have a clear approach to business recovery. The key learning from an area experiencing longer periods of lockdown is the need to take the public with us. Our approach has shown the value of district councils working at the local level and using the best of the county/district approach.
Neil Shaw is chief executive at Rossendale BC
