Community Regeneration
Support Fund
Lead Organisation:
Cyngor Gwynedd
Area:
All areas of Gwynedd
Investment Priority:
Community and Place
Investment: £1.8 million
What’s the background?
A grant fund was established by Cyngor Gwynedd, to enable local organisations, including enterprises and regeneration groups, to lead and develop projects that would respond to local needs and priorities.
What was the support?
The Community Regeneration Support Fund offered two tiers of grant support to meet various community needs – small grants between £10,000–£25,000 and larger grants between £25,000 and £200,000.
24 organisations or community enterprises were successful in obtaining grants to address regeneration priorities.
Of the 24 successful applications:
• Small Grants (£10,000–£25,000): 7 successful applications.
• Larger Grants (£25,000–£200,000): 17 successful applications.
What difference has this made?
Environmental Initiatives
As a direct result of the Community Regeneration Fund, 64 trees were planted, four green spaces and a cycle path were improved, and five properties were protected from flooding and erosion. This was an important investment in resilience and dealing with climate change-related hazards.
Social Initiatives
The Community Regeneration Fund has supported 46 events or activities and 15 neighbourhood features. Furthermore, efforts to improve skills in the community were supported with 164 people taking part in training.
The majority of projects consider community and social engagement to be the biggest impact of their project in their area. For many of the participants this stems from the fact that local people come to their facilities to socialise.
It is apparent also that there is more to the social aspect than just socialising in new facilities.
Additional social impacts of the projects include:
- providing services to the community whilst boosting the economy – e.g. community transport, hospitality in a remote area, supporting local food suppliers.
- safeguarding historical and local heritage – e.g. offering Welsh lessons
- promoting teamwork and collaboration by bringing people together at events and fundraising.
A document summarising all the projects is available here:
Community Regeneration Support Fund
Here some stories of the projects and communities that have benefited from the support of the
Community Regeneration Fund:
Canolfan Noddfa, Caernarfon
Green and Carbon Free Future
What is the background?
Canolfan Noddfa supports hundreds of people at the Ysgubor Goch estate (part of the most deprived ward in Gwynedd) every year. The centre is a community hub where a number of activities and organisations gather weekly. The aim of the project was to refurbish the building’s core systems to reduce carbon emissions and running costs.
What was the support?
Through the project, the centre has installed solar panels and purchased energy storing batteries that enable them to create, store and use energy in the future. They have also upgraded their heating systems and changed their lighting to be energy efficient, which responds to the demand to reduce carbon emissions.
What difference has this made?
Thanks to this project, the building is now stabilised and the community resource has been protected for the future. Although only a few months have passed since the project was completed, the impact on the centre’s costs is clear.
The centre was in crisis and receiving this grant has saved the centre from having to close. It’s a vital community resource and we can now plan towards a better future for the community.
Dewi Jones, Councillor Peblig Ward, Caernarfon
Dyffryn Ardudwy Community Council
Llidiart Car Park
What is the background?
A community survey in 2018 showed that there was strong support from the people of Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont to turn the old high street playground into a car park. The main objective was to provide an accessible place for disabled residents to park to access local businesses, and to reduce congestion and improve safety due to improperly parked cars on the high street.
What was the support?
With the help of the fund, Dyffryn Ardudwy Community Council was able to realise their plan, transforming a space that was not being used into a suitable car park for the use of the community and visitors.
What difference has this made?
The car park has reduced congestion on the main road, and there is an increase in the number of people going to the shops in the village. The local football team also uses the car park and walks down to the pitch, and visitors to the area can park there to explore the surrounding mountains. It consists of two dedicated spaces for blue badge holders, and there are plans to install charging points on site.
By listening to the needs and concerns of our residents, we’ve not only created a practical solution to parking issues but also enhanced the overall quality of life for the residents of Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont.
Eryl Jones Williams
Dyffryn Ardudwy Councillor
Menter y Glan
Riverside Hotel, Pennal
What is the background?
Glan yr Afon is a community property in the village of Pennal, Bro Dysynni. The community of Pennal came together to buy the pub when it went on sale in 2021.
What was the support?
With the help of the fund, Menter y Glan has been able to make improvements and transform the first floor of the property to accommodate visitors. There is also space for local groups to host events.
What difference has this made?
The development of four comfortable guest bedrooms has helped make the business more viable for the future. The community space is used by local clubs and Welsh learning classes. They also support the local economy by purchasing local produce, using local services and employing local staff.
As there is no shop in the village, a community shop has opened on the site, and there are plans to employ a gardener and to tap into energy from the nearby river.
We have four bedrooms which are nicer than those previously available to meet the demand for high standards from visitors to the area. The coastal path passes through the village, and Pennal is in the National Park, so we will attract more visitors in the future.
Meirion Roberts
Menter y Glan
Pwllheli Football Club
Hwb Heli
What’s the background?
Pwllheli Football Club is one of the oldest in Wales, competing in the North Wales Area league. The club is run by volunteers and community members, and the football association needed a permanent home on the side of the playing field, Y Rec, in Pwllheli.
What was the support?
The club was helped to build a brand new clubhouse which includes changing rooms, storage and a community room.
What difference has this made?
A valuable facility for the community has been created – Hwb Heli. The changing rooms are used when there are practices or matches on the field, and also the club room is used and by several community groups on a regular basis, and for events
We had just the foundation here, but the grant was a game changer – I could see things really being built afterwards. We’re lucky – the new club is fantastic!
Brendon Semmens
Hwb Heli Director