Communities First

How does it work?

• Multi Agency Steering Group formed to draw down money from the Welsh Assembly for the Bridgend programme
• Bridgend County Borough Council appointed Grant Recipient Body to receive funds on behalf of the Communities First areas
• Grant Recipient Body appoint overall programme co-ordinator
• Grant Recipient Body and co-ordinator in partnership with representatives from each Communities First area interview and appoint Development Workers (September 2002-February 2005)
• Development Workers work towards the setting up of Communities First Partnerships in each area that will represent different groups in the community, different communities are at different stages
• Communities First Partnerships will in partnership with the Development Workers consult with the community about all the issues, problems and opportunities in the area
• The Partnerships will develop a Community Action Plan of work to improve their communities
• The Plan is used to apply for funding and to join up local services

The Partnership

The Partnership is the group of people who will take on the main responsibility of the running of the Communities First programme in their area. A Partnership will need to be made up of the following:

- One third community members

- One third statutory agencies, such as the Council, health authority and the police

- One third representatives from voluntary organisations and business

- The number of community representatives must be at least equal to any other group

CapacityBuilding

Capacity building is a fundamental part of the Communities First programme. Capacity building is the process of developing or using skills/gaining experience. The Partnership will need to produce a Capacity Building Plan that will include measures to increase the ability of partners to deliver the programme, such as:

- Training

- Publicity and promotional events

- Consultation

The Community Action Plan

The Community Action Plan sets out what the community wants and how that will be achieved

The Community Action Plan must have:

- A long-term vision of what local people want the community to be like in 10 years

- A short-term action plan of work for the next 3 years

- Targets to be achieved in the next 3, 5 and 10 years

The plan should cover the key themes of:

• Jobs and Business - Economic Activity
• Education and Training
• Health and Well Being
• Environment
• Community Safety
• Active Community
• Any other priorities identified by the community

The Plan will be submitted to the Welsh Assembly, who will provide some funding towards the Communities First projects. However, the Plan should also:

- Attract funding from other sources(Lottery, European Funding etc)

- Join-up local services

- Make services more responsive to the needs of local people

Communities First Areas

Betws Ward

Blackmill Ward - Lewistown and Pantyrawel, Blackmill, Glyn Ogwr and Evanstown

Caerau

http://www.communitiesfirstcaerau.btik.com/

Llangeinor Ward

Communities First Trust Fund

Many groups and organisations have already benefited from over £200,000,00 in the Communities First areas of Bridgend.

Further information can be obtained from the following sources:

Main Office

Sue Whittaker Co-ordinator

BCBC Bryncethin Depot

Blackmill Road

Bryncethin

CF329YN

Tel: 01656 726407 / 07796 991722

Fax: 01656 726408

Email: pic@bridgend.gov.uk

Research & Information

Sian Jones

BCBC Bryncethin Depot

Blackmill Road

Bryncethin

CF329YN

Tel: 01656 726406 / 07870 277341

Fax: 01656 726408

Email: jonessm@bridgend.gov.uk

Administration & Finance

Tracey Wood

BCBC Bryncethin Depot

Blackmill Road

Bryncethin

CF329YN

Tel: 01656 726405

Fax: 01656 726408

Email: woodtm@bridgend.gov.uk

Betws

Lynne Simmons Communities First Development Worker

Trem-Y-Mor

Betws Road

Betws

Bridgend

Tel: 01656 727171 / 07973 765696

Fax: 01656 727171

Email: simmol@bridgend.gov.uk

Betws Partnership

Chairperson: Kath Wakefield

Betws Focus Group

Chairperson: Angela Bridgeman

Blackmill ( Lewistown & Pantyrawel, Blackmill and Glyn Ogwr)

Frances McShane Communities First Development Worker

C/o BCBC Bryncethin Depot

Blackmill Road

Bryncethin

CF329YN

Tel: 07973 763379

Fax: 01656 726408

Email: mcshafc@bridgend.gov.uk

Blackmill (Evanstown)

Jason Williams Communities First Development Worker

Evanstown Community Centre

Abercerdin Road

Evanstown

CF39 8RP

Tel: 01443 674396 / 07974 399194

Fax: 01443 674396

Email: willijr@bridgend.gov.uk

Blackmill Focus Group

Chairperson: Andy Mckay

Caerau

Communities First Development Worker

Caerau Police Station

Dyffryn Road

Caerau

CF34 0SS

Tel: 01656 730106 / 07973 754011

Email:

Tracey Everton

Administrative Assistant

Caerau Police Station

Dyffryn Road

Caerau

CF34 0SS

Tel: 01656 730106 / 07973 754011

Email: evertt@bridgend.gov.uk

Caerau Communities First Partnership

Chairperson: Dr Jill Evans

Cyfle Caerau

Chairperson: Dr Jill Evans

Llangeinor

Paula Lunnon Communities First Development Worker

C/o BCBC Bryncethin Depot

Blackmill Road

Bryncethin

CF329YN

Tel: 01656 871805 / 07973 759574

Fax:01656 871805

Email: lunnope@bridgend.gov.uk

Llangeinor Focus Group

Chairperson: Wayne Rose