The UK Government has launched a £214 million Pride in Place programme to empower Welsh communities to transform their local areas, enhance neighbourhoods, and restore pride. This funding allows residents to decide how money is spent, enabling them to clean up streets, tackle anti-social behaviour, and save valued local facilities such as pubs and libraries. The programme gives communities direct control over investments, helping them address the issues that matter most locally while supporting cohesion and civic engagement.
Nine additional communities most in need will receive up to £20 million each, joining five communities already benefiting, bringing the total to fourteen local authorities in Wales sharing £280 million. These new areas include Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Cardiff, and Swansea. In addition, every local authority in Wales will receive a share of £34.5 million to improve public spaces, including repairing bus shelters, reopening park facilities, adding litter bins, and revamping leisure centres.
This investment builds on previous government and Welsh Government initiatives, bringing total funding for Welsh communities to over £300 million. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the programme’s significance lies not only in the financial support but also in giving power to local residents, volunteers, and parents who understand their communities best. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens highlighted the funding’s role in driving economic growth, improving quality of life, and creating opportunities across Wales.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed stressed that local people, not politics, should guide neighbourhood improvements. The Pride in Place programme aims to ignite a grassroots movement to restore local decision-making, foster national pride, and help communities thrive. Local authorities will work with stakeholders, including MPs, MSs, and the Welsh Government, to select participating communities, ensuring alignment with existing placemaking strategies and initiatives such as Transforming Towns.
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