In a busy week for Welsh finances and growth, the Government has today (5 February) announced that nine neighbourhoods at the heart of Welsh life have been named as the recipients of up to £20m each in funding.
It follows he initial news from September last year that the UK Government’s the Pride in Place Programme would see £180m shared among nine local authorities over 10 years to target areas which can benefit most from a wide range of regeneration projects.
For the first time, the communities within those areas where the money will be invested are now being revealed.
The money will empower local people to tackle the issues that are blighting their communities – whether that’s cleaning up graffiti, saving treasured community institutions or tackling anti-social behaviour.
On top of this, every local authority in Wales will receive a share of £34.5m of capital funding to improve public spaces, including fixing broken bus shelters, reopening park toilets, adding bins to help stop litter and revamping run-down leisure centres.
Welsh neighbourhoods receiving funding of up to £20m
Blaenau Gwent - Sirhowy Valley
Caerphilly - Bargoed, Aberbargoed and New Tredegar
Cardiff - Ely & Caerau
Carmarthenshire - Llanelli
Conwy - Llandudno
Neath Port Talbot - Upper Afan Valley
Newport - Newport city centre
Rhondda Cynon Taf - Rhondda Fach
Swansea - High Street and Dyfatty
Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens (below left), will mark the announcement by visiting one of the areas allocated funding - Tredegar - to hear from members of the community on how the money could be spent.
Stevens said: “We’re directly backing our communities with this significant investment. People living in these areas are in control of this funding and now have the support to make them even better places to live and work.
“We’re investing directly in Welsh communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods.”
“The UK Government focused on delivering jobs, prosperity and growth and the Pride in Place programme is a key part of us doing that. Working in partnership with Welsh Government, we’re investing directly in Welsh communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods.”
Councillor John Morgan, Cabinet Member for Economy & Place at Blaenau Gwent Council, added: “This is fantastic news for the Sirhowy Valley. The funding will make a real difference to our communities and fits in with our wider regeneration plans for the area.
“The Blaenau Gwent Deal, our new way of working with communities, means we’re listening to local people and businesses about their needs, so having a Neighbourhood Board involved in making decisions fully supports this.
Neighbourhood Boards, made up of representatives from the local community, will now decide exactly what the investment will be spent on. These will now be established, with funding starting from April 2026.
You can now secure your tickets to the Convenience Awards 2026!
Join us on 11 March in Liverpool to celebrate the entire convenience community.
See this year’s finalists and book your seat here.
No comments yet