Local Think Tank-Is It Worth A Thought?

I think it’s fair to say that things have been a bit topsy turvy the last few months. Well more than a bit really. For quite some time actually. If you think that just before this pandemic we were all so engrossed in the dreaded “B” word that is not to be mentioned, rhyming with “Exit.” So, as per my own instructions, I’m not going to mention it. What I will mention though is a local think tank.

Some may already be asking, what’s one of them? Exactly. And what a good question. In short, a local think tank could be as broad or as long as you would like it to be.

It does not have to even be called a local think tank. It’s just an idea floating around. But, I must admit, an idea that’s been floating more and more recently. And believe me, when I get an idea floating and it gathers pace, the floating can go into overdrive. There’s a lot of empty space in this noggin of mine. So, an idea has plenty of room to float around to it’s heart’s content. And, of course, the more room, the quicker an idea may float over time.

Anyway, enough about the contents of my noggin, or lack of contents as the case may be. What about a local think tank? Or something similarly titled. Whatever it could be called, the concept is pretty much as follows.

Local Think Tank – Is It Worth Considering?

A local think tank could be what it says on the tin really. It’s local and it’s a think tank.

I don’t know about you but since the pandemic kicked in and the impact of lockdown has shown how it affects us all, there seems to be a greater need for either some greater clarity on a variety of issues, or some extra support. Clarity and extra support for both local businesses and residents alike.

Bear with me for a moment and let me try and paint a picture. I’ll empty my head of the snippets of thoughts I’ve collected these last few months.

I think it’s fair to say that in some instances there is a fair bit of confusion knocking about. Maybe not so much on purely a local level but, as a result, of Central Government’s announcements, some of the decisions made obviously roll down to all localities. And that is where a lot of confusion sets in. Or the need for greater clarity.

Local Think Tank – Are We All Clear About Face Masks?

Case in point. Wearing face masks. Do we or don’t we? And where do we and where don’t we? I must admit I don’t know whether you have to wear a mask when visiting a bank. If you do then I’m not sure how approaching a bank teller with a mask on will play out?

Picture this tongue in cheek (or is it?) scene. You get to the front of the queue, approach the counter and notice that there is no pen on the counter. Being prepared and all that you remember you’ve brought a pen with you. So, as you approach the counter, you reach inside your jacket, into your pocket and announce as you’re doing so:

“Gimme some money”

To compound it even more, it’s been raining outside and you’ve forgotten to pull your hood down after entering the bank. Wow, face mask on, hood up, reaching for an unknown object from your jacket pocket while saying, “Gimme the money!!” Cue possible pandemonium. Security cameras go into overdrive.

Local Think Tank – Don’t Forget The Gherkins

Or, here’s another example that may well play out for me. Fancying a cheeky one or two early doors, I decide to pop out to The Cottage for a few sherbets. I’m only going to the pub, so yippee, no mask needed. I’m just about to go out the door when I realise we’re low on gherkins (every household should have a decent stock of Polish gherkins by the way!!).

I can get some from the Polish shop in Brook Street. So, Plan B. Where’s my mask? While I’m at it, why not get my hair cut at the Turkish barbers. Mask or no mask? Yay, no mask.

A chicken shawarma on the way home maybe from Chester Charcoal Grill. Hmmm……do I sit in or take home? If I decide to eat in before I enter, do I walk in without my mask? Or do I enter wearing my mask? In which case the staff may well think I’m ordering a takeaway. Decisions, decisions. My head hurts.

I know, I’ll stay in instead. Less hassle. I’ll have a can or two and order my gherkins from Amazon. They’ll be here tomorrow if I order through Prime.

I know the simple answer to my Brook Street ‘dilemma’ is to carry my mask just in case. But the point is, there are so many things that appear to be grey areas in some respects.

My Tongue In Cheek Examples Aside

You no doubt guessed the examples above are only tongue in cheek? Or are they? Somebody, somewhere may be really confused by the whole situation. Add to that the possibilities of more decisions that may be construed by some as ambiguous.

As things evolve going forward some decisions may not easily be identified as being black and white.

I think the situation with the face masks is a case of each one of us taking the time and trouble to get ourselves clued in. But there is a lot to take in on so many fronts. Let’s place the face masks examples in the residential category.

What about local businesses then? Are local businesses totally clued up on each and every required aspect? Maybe not in every case. Thinking about it, how long will it be before businesses are creating a new role in their organisation. Something like, “Chief Covid 19 Compliance Officer,” or “Covid 19 Supervisor” or such like. Hopefully never is the shout, but if there’s a second wave? Who knows. Clearly small businesses could not afford the luxury of employing someone specifically for such a role.

So where do they get all the information they need to comply?

Local Think Tank – Would One Benefit Local Businesses?

I’ve already touched on the compliance issues above. But there is such a lot to take on board. Whoever even heard of furlough five months ago let alone know how to administer it?

And what about the self employed income support scheme (SEISS)? Is it taxable? Yes, it is. But is it classed as part of turnover that may just push you over the Vat threshold?

What about health and safety aspects through all this? Suitable signage in the workplace for example? Or, if the going gets tough, maybe too tough, where can a business owner (and their staff) turn to for some much needed mental health support? Or suggestions of physical fitness.

Insurances? Any special insurance requirements? Any additional legal issues to be made aware of? A redrafting of employee contracts of employment for example. Can you redraft a contract of employment so easily?

Picture this other scene. You think your head was hurting in my ‘early doors’ conundrum above. It’s about to explode now as a small business owner. And I’ve only touched on what should be relatively straightforward……ish, compliance issues.

More importantly for so many businesses, how can they get back on the road to economic recovery if it has suffered during the pandemic? This mega important question will have been asked and will continue to be asked by businesses everywhere. Not just here in Chester, but literally everywhere.

Are the city centre car parking arrangements going to continue as they currently exist? In relation to business funding, are there any other grants available other than the HMRC and NNDR related grants? Grants from other sources in other words.

Any special bank loans available? How do I best promote my business to get things moving again?

I Could Go On And On

As I say, I could go on and on. (Ed: What, you mean you haven’t done so already??). I could, but I won’t……well, I might just a little bit more as I’m in full flow-ish. The above few mentions and examples are only really the tip of the iceberg potentially.

And as you come across more and more grey areas on almost a daily basis, the confusion and the not knowing where to turn to for support becomes only too apparent.

That is where a local think tank may well come in useful. Possibly very useful. Thinking about it, it may not even need to be a whole region wide local think tank. You could have a local think tank for your own area. For instance, a Hoole, Upton and other surrounding areas local think tank.

But if it was a city wide local think tank, sub branches (like a Hoole and District) could evolve for instance.

Picture yet another scene. A city wide local think tank. Let me think, do we have any empty, spare buildings available in the city centre? We all know the answer to that don’t we. The empty properties issue itself would be a great topic for debate by the way.

So what about a city centre local think tank walk in centre? To add to regular (monthly or quarterly?) think tank members get togethers. Yes, a walk in centre. Free rent for the first year or so sort of thing. Are you reading our young Duke?

Or, what about this? And this is really out there. What about also spreading the word on a local website? You know the sort. A website not just about the city of Chester, but a website also for the people of Chester. Now where have I seen that before? Oh, I know – I’ve seen that mentioned HERE.

Local Think Tank – Who Would Be Involved?

Well nobody if the idea was deemed to be a non-starter. If, however, it was worthy of a further look then there are a variety of organisations or bodies that could contribute.

The list is not necessarily exhaustive but what about the following:

Local councillors; CWAC; our Central Government MP; representatives from local businesses; local communities; marketing experts (for local business marketing and not marketing Chester itself as a tourist attraction); the services – Fire and Police mainly; health and safety experts; transport gurus; experts from the world of finance (banks, finance companies, grant funding providers); local charities, local media, representatives from the University, the Duke of Westminster Estate, the Cathedral, local sports clubs and probably quite a few others that I may have missed.

Some of those mentioned above are very broad. For instance, CWAC and local businesses. They themselves are very far reaching. I know that an awful lot of pressure and workload will fall on the local authority as we progress, so it may be that there are others out there who can lend a helping hand.

I do feel, for instance, that a strong link up with the University of Chester would benefit many.

But as I say, this blog post is just putting feelers out. Very much to a large extent from my own personal experiences and questions asked.

“Where do I find that out?”

“I wonder if……?”

“Who do I contact to find out about……?”

And so on. Yes most, if not all, of the information will be out there. But fragmented.

Local Think Tank – A One Stop Transparent Interactive Collective Source Of Information

A mouthful of a heading but that’s the gist basically. Somewhere and somehow where residents, businesses and other organisations and interested parties can access a wealth of information all from the one source.

I have mentioned a walk in centre and a central website. There could be a brand new website started for example under a very descriptive and appropriate domain. A membership forum attached to the website. Local radio could get involved. A regular “Chester Think Tank” slot on local radio where there are important updates and reports etc.

Spreading the word on Social Media, including a YouTube channel. What the hell, why not go the whole hog in due course. A Chester Think Tank TV Channel.

In the main, the aim is to build a local community platform that is interactive and helpful to us all. Especially during these troubled times.

A working case study example to consider. Think tank committee have their regular meeting. A summary of the points discussed and suggestions of help and assistance are made known on the local radio in say, an hour long special. And of course, a post made on the website with all relevant links etc. Loads more of information passing to and fro of course in the meantime.

While of course the added fall back of the walk in centre in town is available (hopefully rent free courtesy of D of W during these troubled times).

Post Covid (whenever that’s likely to be) all of the above will also continue to be available of course.

In Conclusion

Oops, just noticed – I’ve got a bit carried away there. I must admit I do enjoy writing these blog posts. If nothing else, it gives me a sense of offloading. Or speaking my mind. Rather than keeping all these issues floating around in my head, put them on ‘digital’ paper.

So this is a post of my own questions, my own lack of clarity in certain areas and my own suggestion as to how to possibly put this right for the benefit of all local residents and businesses. In keeping with my website mission statement really. A platform not only about the city of Chester, but for the people of Chester. In fact, mainly the latter.

On a final, final, final note (honestly), if there is already such an organisation or service out there that covers ALL of the above then apologies, I’m not trying to tread on any toes. I’m not aware of any such option. And, I suppose, that begs the question, how come I am not aware? Should such a service be more proactive to ensure everyone is aware?

And if there is the option already out there, then why not get in touch and I can at least add your links here and spread the word even further.

I know there are quite a few local communities already out there. But how do you get to know about them? Again, would a central point, platform be an option? Also, are there any other services that these local communities would like to offer? If so, they can tap into this central source of information.

Only time will tell if this is a feasible service or option. If it is felt that it isn’t then at least I’ve had my ‘letting off a bit of steam’ moment. Also as I mentioned earlier, such a central, interactive service for residents, businesses, communities, charities et al could be as broad or as long as it needs to be.

If anyone has any comments or thoughts, then by all means, drop me a line at frank@chesterlifestyle.com, or leave a comment in the Comment box below.

For those that are still awake – thanks for reading. Much appreciated.

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