£214m boost for Welsh communities to restore pride and revitalise high streets
£214m boost for Welsh communities to restore pride and revitalise high streets
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Welsh communities are set to receive a £214 million funding package aimed at revitalising high streets, saving valued community facilities and restoring local pride, as part of the UK Government’s new Pride in Place programme.
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will see nine local authorities across Wales receive up to £20 million each, while every council will be allocated additional capital funding to improve public spaces.
The nine areas chosen to receive the largest share of the funding are: Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Cardiff and Swansea.
Every local authority will also benefit from a slice of £34.5 million set aside for measures such as fixing broken bus shelters, reopening public toilets in parks, installing more litter bins, and revamping run-down leisure centres.
The UK Government said the programme would mark a “decade of renewal” under its Plan for Change, empowering communities to decide how funding should be spent to improve neighbourhoods and tackle local issues.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.
“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best – the people with real skin in the game.
“We’re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action – giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.”
The scheme will also expand the number of communities receiving targeted regeneration investment. To date, five areas have already benefited, and with the latest announcement, 14 Welsh local authorities will now share £280 million in total.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens described the programme as a central part of the Government’s growth strategy.
She said: “The UK Government is laser-focused on delivering economic growth and providing opportunity for all and the Pride in Place programme is a key part of us doing that.
“More than £200 million of new investment will see improvements made to communities up and down Wales making them even greater places to live and work.
“We want to work with all our partners to make improvements that matter to local people and deliver jobs and prosperity.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, added that the emphasis would be on grassroots decision-making.
“Building pride in place starts with people, not politics. Local people know what they want to see in their neighbourhoods – and they don’t need government to dictate it.
“This plan will spark an historic grassroots movement that will restore local people’s power, boost national pride and help people get on in life across the UK as part of our Plan for Change.”
Local authorities in Wales will be asked to nominate communities to take part in the Pride in Place programme, with final approval resting with the UK Government.
Councils will also be expected to consult with MPs, Members of the Senedd, and the Welsh Government to align with existing regeneration schemes, including Transforming Towns and placemaking plans.
With this new funding package, total UK Government investment into Welsh communities through Pride in Place and related schemes now stands at more than £300 million.
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