THE MS for North Wales and shadow minister for local government, Sam Rowlands, has expressed his delight to see his region receiving a major cash boost to invest in projects across the region.

His comments come after it was announced that North Wales is to receive £10.8 million from the Community Renewal Fund (CRF).

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

This fund is designed 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.

He said: “This is fantastic news for North Wales and it is very encouraging to see the UK Government continuing to work with our local councils and helping to support our communities.

“The CRF is the first part of the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda which replaces EU funding and I am pleased to see 41 bids were successful in North Wales.

“As chair of the Senedd’s Cross Party Group on Tourism, I am particularly pleased to see Conwy County Borough Council receiving £850,093 for its Tourism Hub, and enhancement of Llandudno promenade.

“The town is definitely a big jewel in the crown for attracting tourists to North Wales and this will certainly help to attract even more people to the area.

“It is wonderful to see this sort of investment in local projects following our departure from the EU and I am delighted to see so many diverse and innovative schemes on the list.

“There is no doubt this money will support investment in these areas, create jobs and help in our recovery from the pandemic.”

A list of the projects in Conwy and Denbighshire benefitting from the CRF cash injection 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