Welcome

What Is Communities First?
Communities First Is the Welsh Assembly Governments flagship programme for tackling poverty and social disadvantage in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. The programme is a long-term community regeneration strategy aimed at the most deprived Wards in Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government declared the Merthyr Vale Ward a Communities First area in January 2002, being ranked as the 55th most deprived Ward out of 865 in Wales.

Partnership Board
The Ynysowen Community Regeneration Partnership Board were duly elected in October 2000 and appointed to facilitate the delivery of the local Communities First programme in January 2002. The Board presently comprises 14 Community Members (local people) and 12 associate members, together with the two local Ward Councillors. This group meet on a monthly basis, and discuss and progress issues that will impact on the welfare of local residents.

In line with the Communities First programme the Board now operates the following sub-groups:

• Sports Development
• Environment/Greencare
• Health and Well-Being
• Business/Economic Issues

And will set up:

• Crime and Community Safety
• Youth Forum
• Education and Training
• Lifelong Learning

The Board recognise the need to have working sub-groups and are seeking local residents to join these groups and become actively involved in local projects.

What Role Can You Play In Communities First?
There are a number of ways you can contribute to the process:

• Speak to the Communities First Team or Partnership members about your ideas on how to improve your area.
• Attend partnership meetings as a member of the public.
• Submit a letter to the Communities First Team expressing your interest in becoming a partnership member.
• If you have specific interest or experience ask about getting involved with a particular sub group.

Come and meet the Team ! Find out what’s available on your ‘doorstep’ Including small grants for Local groups! Tell us what you want!!

This is YOUR chance to find out more/ express your views!! We look forward to meeting you. ALL WELCOME !!

Further details of meetings, projects etc can be obtained from the Communities First Team –Phil Rees, Heather Morgan or Carol Smith.

Chair Comments
The Ynysowen Community Regeneration Partnership Board are working with a variety of agencies to help regenerate the Merthyr Vale Ward. The Board propose to hold a series of outreach meetings within the Ward and indeed started with a meeting held at Mount Pleasant in April 2004. We will announce other meeting venues shortly and welcome local residents to come along and discuss their needs with us. We in turn will update you on the Boards activities.

We now have four working sub groups and are looking for people to join their preferred group, thus assisting in taking forward projects that will help regenerate our area. We need your views to make these groups successful, so come along and join in the activities.

The Partnership Board recently visited New Tredegar to look at the Community School/Community Wing Project currently under development. The findings from this visit will be incorporated into our Participatory Appraisal information.

Participatory Appraisal
The Partnership Board conducted a Community Consensus in July 2002, to gather information from the community to understand the community needs and vision for the future. A report was then formulated and the content will/is being used in preparing the future Communities First Action Plan.