Wedi ei bostio ar Dydd Gwener 26 Tachwedd 2021
Torfaen council’s cabinet committee have approved plans to invest £1.2 million to help the community recover from the impacts of covid-19.
The money had been set aside in the last financial year, and in the earlies days of the pandemic to help the response to a range of negative impacts on the community.
The leader of Torfaen council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said: “Cabinet have approved a one-off fund for a series of projects aimed at supporting communities affected by the pandemic and particularly to address the impact on young people, mental health, education, people’s employment and some resulting inequality and anti-social behaviour issues.
“It will take a while to fully appreciate the impact of covid and it will require a range of public services and both the National and Welsh Governments to take action to address all of the issues. However, these projects will improve our local environment, support economic and social recovery and aid physical and mental wellbeing, and will make a significant contribution to supporting our communities in recovering from the effects of the pandemic.”
The projects and budgets being proposed are:
- £466,000 for town centre enhancements in Pontypool and Blaenavon
- £259,365 for inclusive sensory play equipment at Cwmbran Boating Lake and Pontypool Park
- £200,000 to help financial inclusion and discretionary housing payments to help those most in need with living costs
- £30,000 for improved assets on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and to engage community groups
- £70,000 to work with the Friends of Pontypool Park to repair and reopen the Shell Grotto and Folly visitor attractions
- £50,000 for small businesses and new start-up grants, focused on digital improvements
- £40,000 for additional free counselling services to young people aged 7-19 at the Cwmbran Centre for Young People
- £25,000 for youth and adult mental health first aid training courses
- £59,635 to start the process of developing a new floodlit all-weather community sports pitch in the north of the Borough.
A project manager will now be allocated to each project with some projects able to start immediately and others requiring planning and delivery within agreed timescales.