New Communities First Office for Bro Ddyfi
15th Jul 2008
As a result of the commitment and good will of both the Welsh Assembly Government and
Powys County Council, the Bro Ddyfi Communities First Partnership have been able to re-build the dilapidated former shop premises on the Bryn y Gog Estate in Machynlleth for use as the main Communities First Office, where both the Co-ordinator, Cyril Breeze Evans, and the Administrator Lynwen Jones are now based, whilst retaining their former office at Ty Bro Ddyfi where the Development Officer, Lyneth Davies, will maintain a main street presence.
The Bro Ddyfi CF Partnership Chair, Phil Roe of Coleg Harlech WEA, and the local Co-ordinator, Cyril Breeze Evans, welcomed those present and Cyril explained “In return for Communities First funding that enabled the transformation of the Powys County Council owned former shop premises, the Council have agreed to make the building available for CF at what is initially a ‘peppercorn rent’, followed by a vastly reduced rent, for a period of at least 25 years. Should the programme end before that time, then the Council have also agreed to make the building available under the same terms to a similar, local, not for profit, community group, thereby ensuring that this will remain a community resource for many years to come”.
The Head of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Communities First Programme, Paul Dear, officially opened the new office on 3rd July and during his address spoke of the real difference that the Communities First programme has made in areas of deprivation throughout Wales, including such areas as Bro Ddyfi, that is not one of the hundred most deprived areas in Wales, but were included in the programme as one of ten ‘Imaginative Proposals’.
He also spoke of the invaluable contribution made to the programme by members of local communities, and explained that a community led programme such as this could not possibly succeed without the enthusiasm and commitment shown by local residents to improving the overall quality of life of people in their area.
Two of our local County Councillors, Cllr Michael Williams, and Cllr Gwilym Fychan spoke of the significant contribution and improvement that CF has made throughout the Bro Ddyfi area, and reiterated the importance of such a rural and Welsh speaking area remaining within the CF Programme.
Following the official opening, some of the 40+ local community groups that have been able to access a total of over £180,000 from the CF Trust Fund over the last six years joined partnership members and staff and were able to share information as to how the funding had made a difference to their group or organisation, whilst enjoying the excellent buffet on offer. During this session a Cheque for nearly £900 was presented to the 'Tuesday Singers' following their successful application to the CF Trust Fund, who then entertained those present by performing a few of their songs.
The CF Partnership Chair, Phil Roe said “It is as a direct result of Bro Ddyfi’s designation as a Communities First area that this money, as well as a further estimated minimum of £2.6 million of funding has been drawn into the area. This being a result of other programmes targeting areas of deprivation that has lead to a number of improvements in the provision of Affordable Housing, Sports and Leisure facilities, Childcare, Education and much more”
The event ended with an opportunity for Bryn y Gog Residents to come along to meet staff and to find out more about the programme and how they could become involved in improving the area.
Cyril Evans explained “whilst the day itself was a success, in order to help persuade the Welsh Assembly Government that the programme should continue to be funded in Bro Ddyfi, there is a real need for more local people to get involved and anyone is more than welcome to call in at the office for an informal chat about the possibility of joining the partnership or one of its thematic groups”.
He went on to say “There is no need for any previous experience of being on partnerships or committees, indeed quite the opposite, and we would welcome people who simply have strong feelings regarding any issues affecting the Bro Ddyfi area, but have not previously felt the need to, or perhaps never had the confidence, or indeed been given the opportunity to voice their opinion.
People can become involved with the Communities First programme in Bro Ddyfi with as much or as little commitment as they are able to, or indeed wish to make”.
A hard copy of the full Partnership Agreement and a summary leaflet of our current Action Plan ‘ Putting Bro Ddyfi First’ can be sent to you, along with any other information you require regarding the Communities First programme by contacting the Office.
Tel: 01654 700315 E-mail commfirst.broddyfi@powys.gov.uk
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