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Community

£21 million allocated to secure the future of Wales’ voluntary sector

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£7M A YEAR has been allocated to support Wales’ voluntary sector over the current Welsh Government’s term, a commitment of over £21m across the next three years.

The announcement follows the publication of the draft Budget by Finance Minister Rebecca Evans last week (Dec 20).

This is in addition to around £7m provided every year by the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme, a grant scheme of up to £250,000 for the improvement of local community projects and facilities.

The £7m of annual funding, beginning in 2022, will be provided to the Third Sector Support Wales. This partnership comprises of 20 organisations – 19 County Voluntary Councils supporting each county area and the national membership body for voluntary organisations, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).

These organisations provide an infrastructure to all of Wales’ voluntary sector organisations under four pillars of activity identified in partnership with Welsh Government: volunteering; good governance; sustainable funding; and engagement and influencing.

Additionally, the long-standing Community Facilties Programme will continue to provide small and large grants to well-used community projects to improve their sustainability and provide opportunities for local people to improve their day-to-day lives.

Announced every 3 months and split into pots of under £25,000 and up to £250,000, the latest Community Facilities Programme recipients are:

Up to £250,000:

£250,000 for Krishna Cymru, Cardiff to refurbish and turn their Grade II-listed building into a cultural heritage site and well-being community centre for Butetown, promoting physical and mental well-being through accessible training in yoga and meditation
£250,000 for Llanrumney Hall Community Trust, Cardiff to create a health and well-being centre
£250,000 for Newport Mind to complete the next phase of their project creating a fit-for-purpose centre with consultation, training and group rooms plus a sanctuary space on the first floor

Up to £25,000:

£25,000 for Mentoring for All, Cardiff to renovate and repair their roof, kitchen and toilet facilities and replace windows and doors
£25,000 for Ysgoldy Community Group, Ceredigion to provide a safe and sustainable off-road parking area, including planting native trees and hedgerows, creating an environment for local fauna and flora, enabling biodiversity and lessening their carbon footprint of the project
£25,000 for Clwb Rygbi Rhuthun, Denbighshire to renovate their clubhouse by providing a larger seating area, new kitchen and upgrades to their toilet / changing room facilities for more suitable access for all
£20,000 for Abergavenny Community Trust, Monmouthshire to install solar panels for their community centre as part of their net zero by 2030 plans
£25,000 for Llanelli Goods Shed, Carmarthenshire to create a community café and heritage interpretation area
£25,000 for Tabernacl Cardiff, Cardiff to repair their Grade II listed building including to the flat roof, stones repairs and roof lights
£8,000 for Bedwas Rugby 2011, Caerphilly to provide a new, low-carbon, floodlighting system.
£25,000 for the Parish of Abercynon, RCT to install a professional kitchen to develop a social enterprise café

Minister for Social Justice and with responsibility for Wales’ third sector, Jane Hutt, told this newspaper: “It has been yet another difficult year for many of us, but our community, charitable and third sector organisations have remained steadfast in their support for all.

“Continuing to commit considerable funding through both our Third Sector Support Wales network and Community Facilities Programme will allow our wonderful hyper-local projects as well as wider-ranging organisations to evolve and grow in their areas, ensure they remain fit-for-purpose and available for anyone who requires them.”

CEO of WCVA, Ruth Marks, told The Herald: “Third Sector Support Wales is a unique partnership supporting local, regional and national charitable and voluntary action. Our members are active in every community and make a significant contribution in every walk of life.

“This financial support will enable us to maintain and develop our services to meet current and emerging needs in the sector.”

Applications for the Community Facilities Programme are open year-round and organisations can find out more by searching for Community Facilities Programme on gov.wales

Community

Rent in Pembrokeshire rises 7% over past year

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NEW figures reveal that private rental costs in Pembrokeshire have climbed by 7% in the past year, with the average monthly rent reaching £625 in October. This is a significant increase from £582 a year earlier and represents a 22% rise over the past five years, where the average rent was estimated at £511.  

The data, collected by Rent Officers Wales as part of the Housing and Regeneration Division, highlights growing pressure on tenants amidst rising costs. The collection aims to cover approximately 15% of the rental market by gathering data from landlords and letting agents.  

Across Wales, the average monthly rent has risen 8% year-on-year to £766. Cardiff recorded the highest rental cost in the country at £1,062 per month, while Powys had the lowest at £556.  

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented on the challenges faced by renters in a press statement sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald. She said: “Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog. For many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but that’s far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income.”  

The situation is compounded by a lack of available rental properties. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, explained: “As we continue to see further increases in rental prices across the UK, our members emphasize the lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants. Selling up or turning to the short-term letting market has become a more attractive option for landlords due to challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities.”  

Breakdown of Rental Costs in Pembrokeshire

The figures show a range of costs depending on property type and size in Pembrokeshire:  

– A one-bedroom property: £462 per month  

– A two-bedroom property: £576 per month  

– A three-bedroom property: £732 per month  

– Homes with four or more bedrooms: £934 per month  

By property type:  

– Detached houses: £768 per month  

– Semi-detached houses: £653 per month  

– Terraced houses: £629 per month  

– Flats or maisonettes: £521 per month  

In October, the average rent for private properties across Great Britain stood at £1,307 per month—up 9% compared to the same period last year. This equates to an increase of £105 per month.  

As landlords adapt to changing regulations and financial pressures, the shortage of rental properties continues to push prices higher, creating further challenges for tenants across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

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Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

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A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund.  This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable  irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

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Community

Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop

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ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.

Stay tuned to The Herald for updates on road conditions and weather warnings.

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