The Community Facilities Programme in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Part of Questions to the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip – in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 3 March 2020.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:35, 3 March 2020

I thank the Member for Pontypridd for that very important question. I can say that I've already taken action to ensure that the community facilities programme will fast-track any applications from community facilities that have been affected by the recent floods. Just to remind Members here that the CFP, as it's called, can provide small grants of up to £25,000 to help quickly alleviate immediate problems that may prevent, for example, community facilities opening for business. But also of course there are much larger grants, which your constituency has benefited from, of up to £250,000 to carry out major renovation works. But I did give this message on Friday, when I visited Llanhilleth Miners Institute in Blaenau Gwent—just one of the many community facilities engaged with the tremendous community response. And I'm glad to be able to give that message again today, about the community facilities programme.

But you also, of course, will be aware of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action president's fund—it's now called Help Wales. They're distributing funding that's been raised through their president, Michael Sheen's, GoFundMe campaign. And third sector organisations affected by flooding can apply for up to £5,000 to help them rebuild. Of course, that's via the WCVA's grant team.