Civic Conversation: Reasons for optimism bringing Kirkcaldy back after lockdown

The Fife Free Press has launched a Civic Conversation on how we can bring Kirkcaldy back after lockdown. Our latest contribution comes from Christine May, former MSP and leader of Fife Council, who now chairs the board at Greener Kirkcaldy

‘Looking forward to getting back to normal’ is the most common remark from those I meet on my daily walk, as we carefully move to either side of the path to keep our distance.

But we all know that normal as it was before lockdown isn’t coming back any time soon, if ever.

And it is only right to ask if the normal that was there before March is what our town needs or wants.

A High Street from where the national multiples were already fleeing, outdated parking arrangements, rent, rates and premises that were too big and unaffordable for the smaller businesses which could serve modern shopping habits, and, in spite of the best efforts of the council and public bodies, the underfunding of civic life to the extent that promotion of public activities was limited and participation relatively small.

But coronavirus and lockdown have given us an opportunity.

A chance to see what innovative ideas have taken hold during the crisis. Ideas which have allowed some businesses to trade in different ways from making and delivering meals to increased click and collect slots.

Many more people than before once again appreciate what local businesses can do to keep them supplied with daily essentials when larger outlets are inaccessible, or have huge queues.

The new ShopAppy app, launched last week, will allow local businesses to interact with potential customers and hopefully persuade folk that most items can be bought within the town as easily as sourced online from a multinational.

Neighbourhood groups, both physical and online, have sprung up to offer help and support to those unable to get out or who are otherwise struggling.

Charities and voluntary groups have doubled or even quadrupled the number of folk they assist, and hundreds of local people, shocked at the scale of need, have signed up to help.

How much of these commercial, voluntary and civic activities can be nurtured and helped to grow after lockdown?

For me, this is the starting point of the civic conversation called for by the Fife Free Press.

At Greener Kirkcaldy, we have changed the ways in which we deliver many of our services and have continued to be able to help those in fuel poverty, produced online cookery and food management videos, and have recruited a new staff member to take forward our exciting bike project.

But we are also about to have our own conversation to consider the future.

Just like our town, Greener Kirkcaldy faces the reality of social distancing, restrictions on public gatherings and the possibility of a recurrence of the virus.

So we will consider how prepared we were for the lockdown, how we responded, what worked and might be kept, expanded or tweaked; how will we prepare for a possible future recurrence and what may be the future opportunities for a Kirkcaldy, Fife and Scotland that will undoubtedly look very different?

It will be a similar conversation for the wider town renewal. Plans for work already identified will need to be tested against the emerging new rules, adapted or changed where necessary.

Events may be different than before, but we must start planning now for the civic life the town will need as the virus diminishes.

So our food, music, cultural, sporting and other festivals, cancelled in 2020 must and will go ahead in 2021 and help to plan and organise them will be very welcome.

And the needs of the many unemployed and severely disadvantaged must be given a high priority if we are to truly mean it when we seek a fairer society.

Will the much talked about Universal Basic Income become a reality, and prevent the destitution which many have faced in the austerity years with all that meant for their health and resilience in the face of the pandemic?

Will the Green New Deal mean work for our still too-many-unemployed townsfolk?

And will the cleaner air we have all been able to breathe as a result of lower traffic levels be sustained?

Might our tentative hopes for a town centre renewable energy grid be a realistic possibility? Will the renewed interest in gardening and cooking result in more trade for local producers? Will the streets be adapted to make cycling safer?

How will public life be funded so that the green shoots grow to be viable businesses? I look forward to the developing civic conversation and to helping Greener Kirkcaldy play a part in it.

HAVE YOUR SAY:The Civic Conversation is open to all groups and individuals. To contribute your thoughts on how we bring Kirkcaldy back after lockdown, please email [email protected]