THREE community projects in Neath Port Talbot have been given approval for funding as part of the UK’s shared prosperity fund.
Members met in February of 2024, to discuss the awarding of the grants as part of the fund which has been described as a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda.
It saw funding worth more than £150,000 given to three separate projects based in and around the Neath Port Talbot Council area.
The first project, the Amman Valley Dial-a-Ride Pilot was granted £97,411, towards a scheme that will see the development of a bus service to take residents from Upper Brynamman to Pontardawe and back at times of the day when no public transport is available.
The idea is aimed at connecting services to the Swansea Valley, with passengers able to book a seat on the bus, at what is described as an affordable price, to help tackle transport poverty for those with mobility issues.
The second pot of funding was given to youth worker services at the Canolfan Maerdy community hub in Tai’rgwaith. Here, a sum of £48,512 was given to maintain the employment of a senior youth leader, who will help support youth services in the area. It will also go towards paying the training costs of a further four volunteers to get to a level two qualified youth worker status.
Finally, funding of £5,000 was given to a community bicycle project, to provide a biking facility for the residents of Seven Sisters, to purchase bikes and a storage facility. The report says as part of the project “bikes can be loaned to those in the area that are struggling to purchase bikes for themselves and their families.” Members in attendance at the meeting voted unanimously to approve the funding for all three projects.
