Bridgend Council’s Cabinet is set to approve a new Community Infrastructure Fund (pdf).

In the report, officers say that demand for grants for new projects in the county has been high, and existing funding schemes – such as the UK Government’s “Pride in Place” fund – have been oversubscribed.

To help meet this demand, BCBC is set to create a £1.5 million capital fund which will work alongside existing schemes.

As it would be run by the council, there’s greater flexibility in where it can be spent (effectively, anywhere in the county). However, some ground rules were set. Projects have to relate to sport, accessibility, improving the quality of existing community facilities/assets, or provide new facilities where none currently exist.

Following discussions within the Cabinet and with leaders of opposition groups, several council-led projects have been selected:

• New skate parks in Bryntirion and North Cornelly (£640,000).
• A new pavilion at the northern half of Newbridge Fields, Bridgend to include changing rooms and shower facilities (£230,000)*.
• Work on improvements to Coity Higher Community Centre (£150,000).
• Green landscaping at Maesteg Market Square (£40,000).

*I assume this would replace the pavilion currently used by Bridgend Sports RFC/next to the athletics track.

Additionally, four projects that missed out on Pride in Place funding have been selected. The applicants will need to provide match funding.

• Bridgend Ravens RFC: 3G pitch at Brewery Field (£150,000).
• Penybont FC: Improvements to access and car parking facilities (£150,000).
• Top-up funding for smaller county-wide Pride in Place proposals, with grants worth up to £10,000 (£100,000).
• St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre community councils: Community & open space enhancements (£40,000).