Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews has announced that the Bigyn area of Llanelli is being included in the Communities First Programme and will benefit from £142,000 between 2008-2009.
The inclusion of Bigyn follows its identification in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2005 as being in the 10% most deprived communities in Wales, but currently without Communities First Status.
The funding announced by the Deputy Minister will help establish a Communities First team with budget to help develop the local partnership and work with the community in preparing an action plan as well as establishing a Communities First office in the area.
Community groups within the new Communities First area of Bigyn will also be eligible to apply for a further £5,000 in the 2007-08 financial year from the Communities First Trust Fund. The Trust Fund was set up in 2001 to distribute small amounts of funding to community groups quickly and easily by reducing the application and evaluation paperwork to a minimum.
Local Labour Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM said:
“This announcement is great news for the people of Bigyn and shows that the Welsh Assembly Government is committed to a long-term strategy to tackling social and economic disadvantage.
“Since 2001, Communities First initiatives throughout Wales have empowered people, getting them more involved in improving their own areas and their own prospects.
“The £142,000 allocation will give Community groups in the Bigyn area a greater say in finding the solutions that are right for their own communities.”
Nia Griffith MP (Llanelli) said:
"I welcome this announcement, as I know that the substantial new investment will go a long way towards building on the hard work that PLTRA and the local councillors have already done for communities in Bigyn."
Cllr Sandra Cooke said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Penyfan and Llwynwhlwg are part of the Community First programme.
“The community has worked hard so that they all can benefit from achieving this status.
“The driving force behind the ongoing work in the area will be the community themselves.”
11th February 2008
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