Extra funding for Conwy and Denbighshire projects will help pandemic recovery, MP says

The Government is providing an additional £220 million funding through the CRF to help areas prepare for the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022.

This fund aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches, and will invest in skills, community and place, business, and supporting people into employment.

David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said: “The CRF funding announced today will be welcomed across North Wales. Local projects will help communities build back better from the pandemic.

“The Shared Prosperity Fund, which will come onstream nest year, will build on this and will be a big part of the Government’s levelling-up agenda, helping to ensure that every part of the United Kingdom has its fair share of increasing national wealth.”

A list of the projects in Conwy and Denbighshire benefitting from today’s announcements are as follows:

Conwy County Borough Council

• Conwy Skills & Employability Programme for Recovery and Growth - £270,893

• Conwy Tourism Innovation Hub - £850,093

• Conwy Culture Strategy Development - £219,842

• Digital and Creative Conwy - £442,900

• Digital support platforms for businesses and communities in Conwy - £75,480

• Llandudno Bay Promenade enhancement - £51,000

• Research on the impact of COVID-19 on Conwy’s town centres - £91,800

• Rural Conwy Community Support and Development - £141,287

• Towyn & Kinmel Bay Community Connections Project - £63,507

• Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow - 88,614

Denbighshire County Council

• Blossom & Bloom - Community Outreach - £102,719

• Step Forward (Employment Pilot) - £40,464

• Community Innovation Denbighshire - £554,749

• Cowork Local (Denbighshire) - £489,549

• Denbighshire STEM Connect - £406,832

• Digital Manufacturing Support Cymru Programme - £629,341

• Economic Empowerment Project - £113,387

• Employability Skills - £10,200

• Feasibility study of a multi-vector smart local energy system in Denbighshire - £96,900

• Not Being Left Out - £10,324

• Pixel Engagement Programme - £109,133

• READY - £168,306

• Transforming Young Minds for Tomorrow - £88,614

• Y Tan Gwyrdd - £69,691

Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy, also welcomed today’s announcement, saying: “These CRF grants are just the beginning of a new relationship between the UK Government and Conwy County Borough Council to help take Aberconwy forward.

"This is a clear demonstration that the UK remains involved in devolved areas.

“I'm excited to already be working directly with the council, community groups and charities on this.

"It is important that further additional funding from the UK Government goes directly to the organisations that understand the communities they serve best.

“I'd like to thank all those who worked so hard to pull bids together. Not all succeeded, but there will be other opportunities.

"Be in no doubt that your efforts are making a difference here in Aberconwy.”

Darren Millar, the MS for Clwyd West, described the sums of money donated to Conwy and Denbighshire are projects as 'an absolutely incredible investment in this part of North Wales' which 'shows the UK Government’s commitment to levelling up our communities.'

He added: “There are some fantastic organisations and projects in both Conwy and Denbighshire and I am extremely pleased that so many of them have been successful in their bids for this funding.
 
“Communities are trying to get back on their feet and recover from the pandemic and this money will be instrumental in helping them to achieve that.”

Councillor Louise Emery, Conwy County Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “We welcome this announcement and we’re delighted that the successful projects can now progress for the benefit of the people and communities in Conwy with investment for skills, local businesses, communities and place and supporting people into employment.” 

All places across the UK are eligible for pilot funding.