6. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's plans for town centre recovery in Flintshire post-Covid-19? OQ55305

Thank you. Transforming towns across Wales and helping them to thrive, not simply survive, is a priority for the Welsh Government. This is, of course, more pressing than ever in the current circumstances. A ministerial town centre action group, underpinned by regional groups, will address the impact of COVID-19 and steer action to support the recovery of towns, including towns across Flintshire.

Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. Town centres like Buckley in my own constituency were struggling pre coronavirus. Now, a key part to a thriving town centre is a bank, and, as you will know, Buckley has sadly lost all of its banks. Now, I have been campaigning for a community bank to anchor this town centre, and the impact of COVID makes this even more important. Will the Deputy Minister engage with me and the local community to see what Welsh Government funding is available to make sure Buckley thrives again?

Absolutely. I know the community bank in Buckley is an issue that the Member has been campaigning on vigorously for a number of months now. We can see the impact not just that would have in terms of to mitigate against the economic challenges we may face post COVID-19, but in terms of actually how we both regenerate and provide footfall back into our town centres. As we take forward the town centre first principle, the co-location of services is going to be central to realising that and actually looking at actually how we best use our town centres and how we best drive the experience and get people back into towns.

I think it's worth the Member noting that, particularly under our transforming towns capital programme, investment has been targeted at a number of priority towns, which were identified by local authorities, and local authorities across north Wales have previously identified those towns and looked to the likes of Holywell and Shotton within Flintshire, but there'll be shortly an opportunity for local authorities to reprioritise their town focus should they wish to—so, if I can perhaps encourage the Member to have those conversations with the local authority and other representatives.

And I do remember—one final point—that I did previously promise the Member that I would come and visit Buckley, and I'm sure, if circumstances allow, that we can rearrange that visit, because I'm keen in this piece of work now to make sure we find greater ways to involve people, organisations and businesses in communities to best be enabled and empowered to have a greater stake and say in their success in the future.

Thank you. Llywydd. 

The Llywydd took the Chair.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you to the Minister and the Deputy Minister.