Barry to receive £20 million from UK Government

Des Turner 01/10/2023

2 minutes read

The UK Government has today, 1st October, announced that Barry is to receive £20 million as part of a long-term plan for the town that it says has been overlooked and taken for granted.

The government said it will work with Welsh ministers and local partners to “make sure the funding is used to best effect”.

In a statement the UK Government said: “Under the new approach, local people, not Whitehall-based politicians, will be put in charge, and given the tools to change their town’s long-term future. They will:

Receive a ten-year £20 million endowment-style fund to be spent on local people’s priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety.
Set up a Town Board to bring together community leaders, employers, local authorities, and the local MP, to deliver the Long-Term Plan for their town and put it to local people for consultation.
Use a suite of regeneration powers to unlock more private sector investment by auctioning empty high street shops, reforming licensing rules on shops and restaurants, and supporting more housing in town centres.

Three other areas in Wales, including Merthyr Tydfil, Cwmbran and Wrexham will also receive £20 million under a UK wide £1.1 billion levelling up investment.

The UK Government says it will work with local councils and the Welsh Government it claims will benefit from funding and powers under the long-term plans.

A spokesperson for the government said: “More than half the population live in towns, but half-empty high streets, run-down town centres and anti-social behaviour undermine towns in every part of the UK. Today’s announcement marks a change in approach that will put an end to people feeling like their town is ignored and empower communities to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people.

“This plan builds on the government’s central mission to level up the UK by putting more power and money in the hands of people who know their areas best to build a brighter future for their community, creating bespoke initiatives that will spark the regeneration needed.”

**| Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.**
*Photo: UK Gov.*

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said: “Towns are the place most of us call home and where most of us go to work. But politicians have always taken towns for granted and focused on cities.

“The result is the half-empty high streets, run-down shopping centres and anti-social behaviour that undermine many towns’ prosperity and hold back people’s opportunity – and without a new approach, these problems will only get worse.

“That changes today. Our Long-Term Plan for Towns puts funding in the hands of local people themselves to invest in line with their priorities, over the long-term. That is how we level up.”

Conservative MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, Alun Cairns said: “As part of our long-term commitment to Barry, I am determined to work with the community to ensure it is spent on projects that will make a difference.

“£20 million for one town is groundbreaking, showing levelling up in action!

“Funding will be spent on local priorities such as reviving high streets, tackling ASB, improving transport and growing the local economy.

“How do you think we should spend the fund?”

Other items to read:

⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here