FUNDING has been given towards a number community projects in the Neath Port Talbot area this month to help improve community-run facilities across the county borough.
The money worth around £48,000, was awarded to four projects as part of the local authority’s Community Facilities Improvement Fund, which is in turn supported by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda, with the nation wide project set to provide £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025.
It was started with the aim of “building pride in place, supporting high quality skills training, supporting pay, employment and productivity growth and increasing life chances.”
The first project will see Croeserw Athletic Football Club’s application for changing room improvements and electrical upgrades worth a little over £5,000 given the green light by members.
It will also see Aberavon Greenstars RFC given £25,000 for the installation of solar panels at the clubhouse, in order to reduce energy bills and make the club more financially sustainable.
Additionally, there will also be a sum of £8,313 awarded to the Cwmavon Community Engagement Centre for a floor refurbishment and a heating system upgrade, along with £9,600 given to The Friends of Seven Sisters group for upgrades to the cycling and walking track at Seven Sisters Playing Fields.
The support for each of the projects was approved by council members who met at a cabinet meeting on July 10, 2024 after they were recommended by officers following an application process that was launched earlier this year.
A report within the plans read: “In April 2024, in response to an increasing need identified within the voluntary sector, a new grant fund was launched called the Community Facilities Improvement Fund.
“The fund was targeted at community and voluntary organisations that lease Council owned buildings and other facilities, including playing fields, pavilions etc. to carry out essential repairs and upgrade works.”
