Funding to alleviate poverty in most deprived communities

Funding has been announced for several Llanelli communities, as part of a Carmarthenshire Communities First cluster. £1,352,821 has been awarded as part of the Welsh Labour Government’s Tackling Poverty Action Plan. Funding is until March 2015 and is part of £73.5milion to-date that has been made available to 51 clusters across Wales.

The new Communities First programme focuses on supporting the most vulnerable people in our most deprived areas, with delivery plans that seek to improve outcomes in health, education and the economy. Llanelli communities include areas of Glanymôr, Tyisha, Felinfoel, Llwynhendy, Bigyn, Lliedi, Hengoed and Trimsaran.

Recruitment of Delivery Teams will begin shortly to work with people across the community including residents, organisations, business,and others. For further information, the teams can be contacted at Felinfoel Community Resource Centre on 01554 784847.

Keith Davies AM said:

“I am delighted to welcome the funding that will enable so many areas in Llanelli to work together to alleviate poverty. Welsh Labour’s flagship Communities First programme is unique in that it brings together individuals and organisations across communities.”

“I visited some of the 106 community groups that were supported by the previous Communities First programmes, and witnessed the great work being done and the effect it had on those who it helped.”

“In light of cuts and Welfare Reform coming from the UK Government, the impacts this programme will bring are even more relevant to communities such as these in Llanelli. I also welcome the useof delivery plans to measure the outcomes.”

The Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant, said:

“Every application has been carefully assessed to ensure that the highest possible proportion of the budget can be used to deliver projects in local communities rather than being spent on administrative costs.”

“Community involvement will remain central to the programme. We want to see more local people becoming actively involved in Communities First and so each cluster has developed a Community Involvement Plan to ensure that this happens. It is essential that the community continues to be engaged and empowered.”