Renewal Fund launched in Powys

A UK Government fund launched to help local communities bounce back from the ravages of Covid-19 has been launched in Powys, and it could be exactly what one much-needed Welshpool project is looking for.  

Bids can now be made from Monday to the new UK Community Renewal Fund for projects in the Welshpool area.

The Fund was announced during the budget last month and will be administered nationally by the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government and at a county level by Powys County Council (PCC).

The news will prick up the ears of community groups like the one campaigning for a state-of-the-art 3G pitch to be built in the town to compensate for the loss of the Salop Road playing fields to the new primary school development.

The group, made up of volunteers, has received widespread support but, to date, the big stumbling block appears to be the estimated £1million price tag.

Powys bids are required to align with at least one of the four priorities under the county council’s Vision 2025 Corporate Improvement Plan and demonstrate that they have considered the fund’s four priorities, investing in skills, local businesses, supporting employment, communities and place.

One of those council priorities is ‘Residents and Communities: We will support our residents and communities’, so with the loss of the playing fields impacting the town as a whole, a successful bid could help to redress the balance.

Another priority ‘Learning and skills: We will strengthen learning and skills’ would obviously benefit from the added sporting opportunities that such a facility would bring to the town, while the health priority would undoubtedly be boosted by a year-round outdoor sports facility.

The application documents and more information about the county council’s Vision 2025 priorities are available at www.powys.gov.uk.

Applications must be completed electronically and submitted to CRF@powys.gov.uk. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday, May 17, 2021. 

All local authorities are able to submit a prioritised shortlist of bids from their area up to a maximum value of £3m for 2021/22 only. 

The final list of priority bids must be submitted by the County Council to the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government by June 18 and funding decisions will be announced by the Ministry in late July.