A HOST of local projects have benefited from a cash injection after the latest recipients of the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Strong Communities Grant Fund were revealed.

The fund offers grants to community groups, voluntary organisations and Town and Community Councils.

Money can be put towards the cost of initiatives within the Vale that help to support the Council's vision of 'Strong Communities with a bright future'.

The aim is to improve the resilience of organisations and their activities by helping to finance projects that add value to existing work.

Applications must demonstrate longer-term sustainability to reduce the reliance on grants in the future.

In 2020, the Council's Cabinet agreed nearly £850,000 was to be allocated over the next five years through the String Community Grant Fund, with £25,000 the maximum amount available per project.

In total, more than £150,000 worth of funding has been approved for 21 projects following the most recent round of applications.

Among those to benefit are Motion Control Dance, a community dance club based in Barry YMCA, who received more than £10,000 to pay for a new tutor.

Running in parallel to the main fund is the Small Grant Fund, which awards up to £3,000 for smaller-scale schemes.

A total of 11 applications were successful in accessing monies through this route, including Barry Athletic Football Club, who were awarded close to the maximum amount to pay for a shipping container to store equipment.

Cllr Bronwen Brooks

Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, said: "The Council is committed to building Strong Communities with a Bright Future and we hope this funding will do exactly that.

"It will be used towards financing project that will enrich the local area and the people that live there.

"Across both funding streams, a total of 33 applications have been successful and I can't wait to see the difference this money makes."

The bids were:

Cadogs Corner Development group. £24,000.

Cadoxton Community Sports Hall – Creating a multi- functional space. Sound proofing and hall divide.

Llancarfan Community Association. £12,639.

New Heating and new windows.

Llandough Village Community Group. £3,698.

Marquee and events tables/chairs

Llandough and Leckwith War Memorial Hall Committee. £15,996.96

Roof restoration.

Rhoose Community Library (RCL) £13,000.

Solar panels.

Rhoose lifeguards. £7,655.

Heating and showers  

St Athan Library. £21,361

Furniture and storage.  

St Brides Major Church Hall Committee. £4,567.24.

Replace heating and two windows

St Nicholas with Bonvilston CC. £4,500.

Memorial paving and bench.

Vale Cricket Club. £8,538.

Improvement to access and conference equipment.

Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band. £10,315.

Suspended ceiling, insulation and lighting

Amelia Trust Farm. £1,280 (alternative funding sought for balance requested - £25,000).

Creating an Eco barn at Amelia Trust Farm

Barry Athletic Club. £22,00.

Barry Athletic and Community Club 2030 (BACCL 2030) Feasibility study

Innovate Trust. £10,150.

Restore the Thaw, project officer.

Keep Wales Tidy Caru Cymru.  1,266.38 (alternative funding sought for balance requested £18,829.39).

Project staff

Motion Control Dance. £10,324.

Leap into leadership, tutor

Vale People First Lana's café. £20,599.

Part time café manager

A bid for £19,000 from STAR Residents Association for a Penarth Food Pod coordinator was deemed ineligible and alternative funding is being sought.

Bids from Fiery Jacks CIC for £13,460.43 for a community circus pilot and The Awen Project for £18,000 for a project officer were rejected.