The Welsh Assembly Government has announced more than £54m for a range of projects to improve the quality of life in Wales’ rural areas. As part of this, the rural areas of Caerphilly county borough will benefit from projects totalling £3,334,402.40 through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013.
Cllr Ron Davies, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning said, “I am thrilled that so many local projects are to be supported financially to ensure they are able to come to fruition. These projects will make a real difference to the lives of so many local people, and will help contribute significantly to ensuring our rural communities are vibrant and healthy”.
The Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union through its European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development jointly fund the Rural Development Plan for Wales. One of its main aims is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and to support the rural economy. The Caerfilli – Cwm a Mynydd Partnership has successfully attracted this impressive amount by working with local organisations and community groups to develop projects. Caerphilly county borough council will manage the programme for the partnership, as well as running some of the projects.
A total of ten projects have been approved as part of this process and their delivery will start in March 2011. All projects will end on 31st December 2013.
- Budding Businesses – A grant scheme administered by Caerphilly County Borough Council that assists local producers to enable the sustainable development of Caerphilly county borough’s small businesses.
- Rural Green Doctors – Led by Groundwork Caerphilly, this project will provide energy and carbon reduction advice to the rural communities of Caerphilly county borough.
- Homelessness Prevention Advice for Women and their families suffering from domestic abuse – Caerphilly Women’s Aid will help facilitate access to ongoing support for women and their families who are suffering domestic abuse, in current or future accommodation and help prevent homelessness.
- Basic Services Key Fund – Led by Caerphilly County Borough Council, the aim of this project is to foster and enhance viable and sustainable communities, and to enable local people to secure a sustainable future for their communities.
- Healthy Villages – Led by Groundwork Caerphilly, this project aims to develop vibrant villages across the rural wards of Caerphilly county borough, through community participation and engagement in a variety of healthy initiatives.
- Villages and Communities Key Fund – This project aims to improve the physical environment of villages and communities and to conserve the rural heritage of Caerphilly county borough. It will be administered by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
- Routes 2 Life – This programme demonstrates the potential of utilising horticulture to improve people’s lives. It will be led by Groundwork Caerphilly.
- Clybiau Plant Cymru Training – This project will provide training opportunities for those working or interested in working in play and childcare settings to participate in play work and related training. It is being led by Clybiau Plant Cymru – Kids Club Wales.
- Training Support Grant
- Vibrant Villages and Healthy Harvests – Led by Caerphilly County Borough Council, this project will engage local farming businesses, other rural businesses and community groups to generate benefits for local people, focussing support in sustainable energy for farm households, local agrifood development, on-farm woodland management and timber use, and connecting communities with local countryside.
The rural wards in this area qualifying for support, as designated by the Welsh Assembly, are Twyn Carno and Moriah (Rhymney), Darran Valley, New Tredegar, Argoed, Crumlin, St Cattwg, Nelson, Aber Valley, Llanbradach, Maesycwmmer, Ynysddu, St James and Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen and Ystrad Mynach.
For further information, please contact the Caerfilli – Cwm a Mynydd Secretariat on 01495 235495 or visit www.cwmamynydd.co.uk.
