Frustration at delay to ‘transformative’ UK Government funding

Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter

A councillor has expressed his frustration over a delay to the allocation of tens of millions of pounds of potentially transformative UK Government money.

Barry looked set to gain £20m, which would have been staggered in £2m payments over a 10 year period, from Westminster’s long term plan for towns fund,

The funding would be focused on a number of improvements including regenerating the high street, tackling anti-social behaviour and improving connectivity.

However, the UK Government recently announced that it would suspend the decision making process on the long term plan for towns fund so that ministers can consider their approach after the election.

Unforgivable

Vale of Glamorgan Council ward member for Buttrills in the centre of Barry, Cllr Ian Johnson, said: “It is unforgivable that Labour are delaying the money that was promised to Barry for town centre improvements.

“We can all see that Holton Road and Barry town centre in general need the investment and regeneration which is now on hold.

“While we wait for Labour to get their act together, the Vale Council should get on with tidying up the town centre, working with landlords to get empty shops filled, and with the police to end anti-social behaviour around King Square.”

A partnership made up of various stakeholders which is being managed by Vale of Glamorgan Council would have received the funds.

So far, the partnership has only had funding to help set up a town board.

Funding for the projects in Barry will be released when the town long term plan is approved by the UK Government.

‘Revised timeline’

The deputy leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Bronwen Brooks, said: “The council has been informed by the new UK Government that it will be revising the timeline for the Long Term Plan For Towns fund to allow those Towns that suspended engagement work due to the election to continue with this work.

“The community led Barry Partnership that was set up earlier in the year to prepare for this funding has worked tirelessly to complete a strategy and vision for Barry. This will be submitted in line with the revised timeline.

“Notwithstanding this and the separate Levelling up investment of £20m proposed as part of the Barry Making Waves project, The Council is working with Welsh Government and Cardiff and Vale College to deliver a new multi-million-pound FE college in the Innovation Quarter, close to Holton Rd and Broad street.

“Separately the redevelopment of the Broad street Clinic and adjacent site at the end of Holton Rd is another multi-million-pound project being brough forward jointly with Welsh Government.

“The Council and Welsh Government are continuing the being forward projects through the Transforming Town work which has also funded the develop of a placemaking plan for Barry which is currently under development and the Council continues to work with partners to ensure that all funding opportunities to support the regeneration of the town as a whole are accessed.”

The long term plan for towns fund is separate to the levelling up funding that Barry was granted.

After having its initial levelling up fund bid rejected in January 2023, Vale of Glamorgan Council was successful in November 2023 and gained £20m which will go towards creating a “vibrant public area” in Barry Docks.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: “The Council is aware that the new UK Government has suspended its decision-making process on the Long Term Plan For Towns Fund so Minsters can consider their approach.

“The Barry Partnership that was set up earlier in the year to prepare for this funding has worked tirelessly to develop a clear, community-led vision for Barry.

“That plan is ready for submission whenever it is requested and has met all the required deadlines set by government to access the funding to this point.”