Pembrokeshire and Europe, you decide.

If the national debate surrounding the European referendum has made you wonder how much impact European Union (EU) funding has had on Pembrokeshire, then you might be interested in a new publication.

The European Unit at Pembrokeshire County Council has published a brochure which outlines details of some of the projects delivered locally with the support of EU funds.

The projects were funded by the EU’s Convergence programme 2007-2013 (spend for this programme continued until December 2015) and amounts to an investment of more than £120 million in Pembrokeshire.

Some of the schemes included the Bulford Road by-pass, the Workways employment programme, the A40 improvements between Penblewin and Slebech Park, and the Local Investment Fund for small businesses.

Cllr Keith Lewis, Cabinet Member for Economy and Communities said the EU programme has had a substantial impact on Pembrokeshire.

“The funding has enabled public, private and third-sector organisations to deliver a wide range of projects which have benefited this county and its people in many ways,” he said.

“It’s created a significant number of sustainable jobs and helped hundreds of people to re-engage with the job market, as well as supporting the expansion of local companies and helping local people to start their own business and gain new skills.”

The Convergence programme has also generated many extra visitors to the County by helping to fund new tourism attractions such as the Coppet Hall Visitor Centre and Chapel Bay Fort and Museum in Angle.

It also funded improvements to Colby Woodland Gardens and Scolton Manor Walled Garden as part of the ‘One Historic Garden scheme’ and coastline developments in the ‘Green Sea Beach Improvement’ project, which included work at 26 local beaches.

For more details on the range of projects in the Convergence programme, please view the publication ‘What has Convergence funding done for Pembrokeshire? online; go to www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/europeanunit and click on ‘Convergence’.

There are links on the Council’s social media pages at www.facebook.com/pembrokeshirecountycouncil   www.twitter.com/pembrokeshire

A limited number of hard copies are also available. If you’d like to receive a copy, please phone the European Unit on 01437 771807 or email set.enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Caption: Coppet Hall Visitor Centre at Saundersfoot, one of the projects supported by European funding.
Work on the Bulford Road by-pass between Tiers Cross and Johnston.