AN AGREEMENT is expected to be put in place to deliver the first £6 million of a £20m fund promised for Cwmbran.
A neighbourhood board, made up of community and business representatives as well as public sector organisations, will be responsible for spending the £20m fund over a 10 year period running to 2036.
The cash comes from the UK Government’s Pride in Place fund, though it was originally awarded under the long term plan for towns programme established by the previous Conservative government in 2023.
Torfaen Borough Council will have to provide support to the neighbourhood board including financial oversight and ensuring the money is spent in line with relevant legislation and guidance.
Its Labour cabinet has now agreed a memorandum of understanding to be signed with the UK Government, which is required to release the first phase of the funding.
That will allow the neighbourhood board access to £6.8m to be spent between this year and the end of March 2030.
The second investment period will run from April 2030 to March 2033 and the final period from April 2033 to March 2036.
At the cabinet meeting Cwmbran Greenmeadow councillor Mandy Owen asked if the cabinet could be “confident” consultation by the neighbourhood board had been “fully inclusive”.
Simon Hall, the council’s interim head of economy and place, said that was his understanding but the council’s role is in supporting the board.
Council leader Anthony Hunt said he’d like regular feedback on the programme and suggested the council could potentially provide further financial support.
The Panteg councillor said: “Can I request regular feedback on this and we can see if we can use our funding to help some schemes and perhaps get more bang for our buck and Pride in Place funding.”
