During the lockdown in early 2021, lots of yellow, three-sided signs have been placed around posts in Wokingham with the heading 'don't risk it'. Please could you confirm:

1. When the signs will be removed, given the stay at home advice had now ended but they were still displayed earlier today?
We anticipate removing the signs following the last step of the government’s 4 step roadmap, which will be 21 June at the earliest.

2. How many signs were displayed and the total cost of producing, distributing, maintaining and eventually collecting the signs?
700 bollard covers; 300 yellow corex signs (play parks); hanging banners; 10 landscape banners = approximately £36,000. The original cost of installing the signs was around £5,000. The cost to update the signs with the stickers is not yet known, but is estimated to be approximately £2,500.

3. Whether any specific funding was used to meet the cost of the signs, in full or in part?
The ‘Don’t Risk It’ signs, bollard covers and banners are funded by the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, which is funded by the EU. We are still able to apply for this grant and others, as previous commitments are still honoured. One of the requirements of the grant is that the EU logo be included in all publicity.

4. Why the signs included the EU logo (as they were displayed after 2020)
See answer to question 3.