Bridgend County Borough Council has approved funding for a number of town and community council-sponsored projects for the 2023-24 financial year, at this month’s cabinet meeting on June 20.
The local authority allocate capital funding every year to local projects, provided they align with Bridgend Council’s community asset transfer and net-zero policies.
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Out of a total of 12 applications this year, four were selected with a total cost of £62,814, with around £54,000 in unspent allocation rolling over into the 2024-25 financial year.
The successful applications will see £20,000 given to Porthcawl Town Council for additional play/exercise equipment in Griffin Park, and £2,814 given to Coychurch Lower Community Council to upgrade Coychurch playground.
A total of £40,000 was given to Pyle Community Council, with £20,000 given towards the creation of an edible forest garden to rear of Pyle Swimming Pool, and a second £20,000 being put towards a new playground at Ty Talwyn Avenue in Kenfig Hill.
Some of the projects turned down for this round of the grants included funding for a multi-use games area at Merfield Close in Sarn, and the potential conversion of sports changing rooms into a community activity centre in Llangynwyd.
Elsewhere on the cabinet agenda, members heard a report on how they will deliver grant funds worth more than £20 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, as part of the of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda.
The aim of the fund is to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, with a number of project targeted across borough including the Business Development Grant, Bridgend Valley Placemaking Property Improvement Grant, and Bridgend County Tourism Events Support. Oversight Panels will now be set up in the coming months to oversee the funding in each of these areas.
