Business & Economic

Communities First – Business Forum

The Communities First Business Forum are currently working on several proposed projects in the area e.g development of Nixon House into a community resource, Aberfan Library and the Aberfan Bowling Green. For more information on the projects proposed or if you wish to get involved and attend the forum, please contact the Communities First team at Aberfan Road on (01443) 693975.

*******************************************

Trust Fund Application
Communities First Trust Fund is a new grants scheme targeted at the most disadvantaged communities in Wales. Small grants are available for groups in Communities First areas for any type of activity that involves local people through small community-led organisations.

This Trust Fund has already provided 47 awards in the Aberfan/Merthyr Vale area amounting to £69,570 in the first three years of funding. The National Assembly for Wales has agreed a new round of funding, so if you are interested in applying please contact the local Communities First office at the Aberfan Community Centre.

• Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Darby and Joan Club were awarded £2,258.95 in June 2005
• Ynysowen Youth RFC were awarded £1,116.25 in August 2005
• TBS Football Club were awarded £1,567.69 in June 2006
• Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Co-operative were awarded £1,200.90 in May 2006
• County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil Access Group were awarded £769.23 in July 2006
• Ynysowen Carnival Committee were awarded £1,000.00 in July 2006
• Merthyr Tydfil Association of disabled transport group were awarded £666.67 in September 2006

Some other Benefactors from the Trust Fund to date are:

Sure Start Clych Meithrin Group Ynysowen Nursery School Local Football and Rugby Clubs – Veterans, Senior, Junior and Mini level Aberfan / Merthyr Vale Youth and Community Project Ty Bryngoleu Residents Association Merthyr Vale Fate and Gala Merthyr Children’s Contact Centre Y.C.R.P.B Swimming Vouchers Cylch Ti A Fi Friends of Merthyr Youth Music Merthyr Tydfil Youth Swimming Club

Merthyr & District Snooker League Merthyr Vale Ex Service Mans Club Monday Night Club New Pathways Helping Hands The Baptist Church St Johns Ambulance Aberfan Wives St Benedicts Church and Community Buttercup Group Mount Pleasant Primary & Junior School Ynysowen Arts Society Aberfan Sub-Aqua Club

This Trust Fund has been allocated £20,000 per year for 3 consecutive years. i.e 2004-2006. An initial Trust Fund allocation of £69,000 for years 2002-2004 was awarded to 27 different groups within the Merthyr Vale Ward.

*******************************************

Nixon House Project
The Nixon House project has plans for Heritage, Tourism, Historical Archives and a multi agency use. We are progressing funds to accommodate this proposal.

Additionally we have been approached from ‘Homing Pigeon’ who are a charitable organisation facilitating innovative educational projects of an international character. This exciting project (if successfully established) will host children and youngsters between 8 and 18 on exchange visits.

*******************************************

Play and Transport Initiative
The Partnership recently received Communities First – Play & Transport funds. This enabled the group to approve the installation of two new children’s playgrounds at the local schools and also to upgrade other existing playgrounds.
Project Costs: £80.000

ECO (Moon Cell) Lighting
The Partnership also secured funds to install the latest state of the art Eco lighting in several poorly lit areas identified within the community. These lights will be installed shortly.
Project Costs: £11.000

Neighbourhood Renewal Area
The Merthyr Vale Ward was declared a Renewal Area in May 2001 by the MTCBC. It is a 10-year programme funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Partnership Board work closely with the Renewal Team jointly ensuring there is a significant impact on the community.

The project strives to make improvements under four key themes:

1. Community
2. Environment
3. Housing
4. Business

*******************************************

Colliery Site Project
A new and exciting development is being proposed for the former Merthyr Vale Colliery site. The new proposals were unveiled at the Aberfan Community Centre in November 2003. The proposal together with ideas and comments from the community is being progressed; this project will regenerate the area.

The proposals put forward are:

• 150 Dwellings including detached houses, shared equity bungalows, flats and apartments
• A Nursing Home
• A Riverside office complex for 30 employees
• Two shared kiosk/corner shops
• One pub/restaurant
• A Primary school for up to 390 pupils

The scheme uses the riverside to create a variety of design with different types of dwellings and units. Using the natural environment and careful use of materials will enhance this scheme, which includes attractive open space and parkland.

*******************************************

Business - In – The - Community
The Partnership Board are working in conjunction with Business-in-the Community to take up the following Team Challenges:

• Porto cabin at the Ynysowen Primary School to upgrade & redecorate facilities inclusive of new toilets.
• Aberfan Library to redecorate & seek further usage.