logo
Flintshire Council secures over £500,000 for town centres

Flintshire Council secures over £500,000 for town centres

Leader Live23-06-2025
Flintshire County Council's Regeneration team has today (June 23) announced that it has secured more than half a million pounds in Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding for the financial year 2025–26.
This funding follows the successful completion of Place Making Plans for the town centres of Buckley, Holywell and Shotton, and supports ongoing work in the remaining four priority towns: Connah's Quay, Flint, Mold, and Queensferry.
This new investment builds on the £1,147 million of Welsh Government funding already secured in 2023–25, reinforcing the council's commitment to revitalising Flintshire's town centres.
As part of this funding, the property development grant scheme, which was a big success in 2023-25, has now reopened to town centre businesses and property owners in Holywell, Buckley, and Shotton.
The scheme will provide targeted support for town centre property development projects, helping to bring buildings back into use and create more vibrant and prosperous town centres.
TOP STORIES TODAY
Councillor Chris Dolphin, cabinet member for economy, environment and climate, said: 'This significant investment from Welsh Government is a testament to the hard work and vision we have for Flintshire's town centres.
"Building on the £1.147 million we've already secured from Welsh Government for 2023–25, this new funding means even more support for local businesses and property owners.
"By supporting property development in Buckley, Holywell and Shotton, and continuing our plans for Connah's Quay, Flint, Mold, and Queensferry, we're creating town centres that are welcoming, vibrant, and sustainable for the future.
"I encourage business and property owners to get in touch and explore the opportunities available.'
Town centre business and building owners can contact regeneration@flintshire.gov.uk for more information about property development grants.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Working Wales service reaches 200,000th customer milestone
Working Wales service reaches 200,000th customer milestone

Leader Live

time14 hours ago

  • Leader Live

Working Wales service reaches 200,000th customer milestone

Working Wales, a free advice and guidance service funded by the Welsh Government, has now supported 200,000 people on their employment journeys. Among those who have benefited is 27-year-old James from Wrexham, who turned to the service after five years in the television industry left him at a career crossroads. James said: "I didn't really know what to do. "I didn't want to just get a job anywhere. "I wanted a career that I can work towards – something I can move up in and do something using my skills in a different way." After visiting the Careers Wales centre in Wrexham, James met adviser Laura, who helped him explore his options. James Veal (Image: Supplied) James said: "I was just completely honest with Laura when we met. "And she was really honest with me too. "It was refreshing. "We talked about different careers and ideas, and when I said there were certain jobs I definitely didn't want to do, she didn't question it – she just said, 'That's fine. "Let's talk about what you do want to do.'" During their conversation, Laura noticed James' involvement in a vintage machinery club, where he organised events and managed volunteers. James said: "Laura looked at that and said, 'You've got all these skills in events. "Have you ever thought about working in that?'" With her support, James began applying for roles in events and eventually secured a position as an events assistant at the Llangollen Railway Trust. He said: "Laura helped me see how to read a job application properly... what I need to include in my CV and how to write a cover letter. "Laura helped me to see my potential and boost my confidence. "I'd really recommend Careers Wales. "Especially if you're looking for a new opportunity or career change. "Come and have a chat – they're so friendly and they will help you." The 200,000th customer was Pauline Smith from Cardiff, who sought support after taking voluntary redundancy from her radio production job earlier this year. The 57-year-old was torn between continuing freelance work and pursuing her interest in yoga teaching. Encouraged by a friend, she explored the ReAct+ scheme and booked an appointment with careers adviser Gareth Richards at her local Working Wales centre. ReAct+ is a Welsh Government programme offering tailored advice and financial support for training, travel, and care costs. Pauline said: "It's much more about giving people confidence that they are okay. "It was just nice to talk through with somebody the fact that I've taken redundancy, and to look at where I was at and where I was going to go. "Everybody has something to offer when they walk through those doors – it's just finding out what that is and how confident they are in those." Pauline Smith (Image: Supplied) Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales, said: "Reaching our 200,000th customer is a major milestone for Working Wales and a clear reflection of the impact we're having on individuals and the wider Welsh economy. "James and Pauline's stories highlight how we help people at every stage of life to build their confidence, develop their skills, and find meaningful work." Working Wales, delivered by Careers Wales, offers personalised support to anyone aged 16 and over, whether they are just starting out, facing redundancy, or looking to retrain. The service is available online, by phone, and in-person across Wales.

Welsh Government 'rushed' purchase of festival farm, now worth half a million pounds less
Welsh Government 'rushed' purchase of festival farm, now worth half a million pounds less

ITV News

timea day ago

  • ITV News

Welsh Government 'rushed' purchase of festival farm, now worth half a million pounds less

Wales Politics The Welsh Government made 'avoidable mistakes' during the 'rushed' purchase of a Powys farm that is now worth half a million pounds less than it cost, according to a report by the Senedd's watchdog committee. Gilestone Farm, near Talybont-on-Usk, was bought in 2022 for £4.25m, as part of a plan to secure the future of the Green Man Festival, a plan that was finally scuppered when nesting ospreys were discovered on the site. But the Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration committee has found what it calls 'signifiant failings in the handling of the acquisition". The committee's report says that the purchase was 'rushed' because of end-of-year budget pressures. It says the property, which is still owned by the Welsh Government but run as a working farm, is now worth half a million pounds less than its value in 2022. The Welsh Government insists that it followed 'proper processes' in buying the farm and that it continues to explore 'potential opportunities for its future use". Mark Isherwood, who chairs the Public Accounts and Public Administration committee, said: 'The Committee is deeply concerned by the Welsh Government's handling of the purchase of Gilestone Farm. "While we recognise the importance of acting swiftly to support the creative sector, this decision was taken with avoidable haste and without the thorough due diligence that the public rightly expects. It raises serious questions about internal processes and the robustness of governance structures. 'Furthermore, the Welsh Government must do more to ensure that communities are not only consulted but genuinely listened to. Engagement must be meaningful, inclusive, and consistent. 'The significant loss in the value of the property is particularly notable in the current financial climate, and we expect the Welsh Government to clarify its future intentions for the site and to set out how it will mitigate the financial loss to the public purse. 'To ensure lessons are learned, the Committee will want to carry out further work looking at the Welsh Government's approach to property investments, to assess whether current processes are sufficiently rigorous and fit for purpose.' The Welsh Government will now consider the report and issue its response. A spokesperson said: 'Gilestone Farm was acquired in 2022, following proper processes and in keeping with market values at the time, in order to support the growth of the Creative Sector in Wales and a stronger Mid-Wales economy. 'We were delighted to learn in August 2023 of the arrival of the pair of mating ospreys, which returned in 2024, and again this year. Their first egg hatched in early June 2025. This is believed to be a first for the Usk Valley in at least 250 years and marks an important milestone in the protection of this important species. 'The arrival of the ospreys necessarily impacted on the planned use of the farm, and the original project had to be stopped. Gilestone remains one of the Welsh Government's property assets, and is being managed on our behalf as a working farm. We continue to explore potential opportunities for its future use, in keeping with our commitment to seek a sustainable outcome that helps local communities thrive. 'We will read the Committee's report with interest, and respond in due course.' The Welsh Conservatives have renewed their criticism in the wake of today's report. Brecon and Radnorshire MS, James Evans, said: "The purchase of Gilestone Farm should never have happened in the first place and the process around its purchase raises serious questions about Welsh Government internal procedures. 'The Labour Government has spent millions without a full, open tendering process or meaningful engagement with the community. Public funds must be spent with care and due diligence. 'The next time the Labour Government reaches for the cheque book, they should listen to local concerns and act with far greater transparency. In the meantime, Gilestone Farm remains the most expensive publicly owned 'bird nest' in history.'

'Significant failings' in Green Man Gilestone Farm purchase
'Significant failings' in Green Man Gilestone Farm purchase

Powys County Times

timea day ago

  • Powys County Times

'Significant failings' in Green Man Gilestone Farm purchase

There were 'significant failings' in the Welsh Government's controversial purchase of Gilestone Farm, a new cross-party report has found. The farm in Talybont on Usk in Powys was purchased by the Welsh Government for £4.25 million in 2022 in order to lease to the owners of the Green Man Festival. The Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee have now found that 'avoidable mistakes' were made. In a report released today (July 28), multiple failings were found - raising broader concerns about 'governance, due diligence, and community engagement'. Chair of the Committee Mark Isherwood MS said: 'The Committee is deeply concerned by the Welsh Government's handling of the purchase of Gilestone Farm. 'While we recognise the importance of acting swiftly to support the creative sector, this decision was taken with avoidable haste and without the thorough due diligence that the public rightly expects. 'It raises serious questions about internal processes and the robustness of governance structures.' The report finds failings with how officials interacted with people in the local community who 'felt disengaged and uninformed about the Welsh Government's intentions, with failings acknowledged by officials'. It also found that the Welsh Government 'did not keep a record of matters discussed with Green Man in various meetings during its consideration of Green Man's outline business plan and leading up to the purchase of the Farm.' The committee found that the one of the Welsh Government's key motivations to buy the farm quickly 'was the opportunity to use an in-year underspend to fund the purchase, along with the consequential requirement to complete the purchase by 31 March 2022'. The report found that this 'avoidable haste" was "driven by the financial year-end" and "compromised the Welsh Government's ability to clearly articulate and fully consider as part of its decision-making process the underlying rationale for purchasing the site'. Since the purchase, the site has seen the arrival of nesting Ospreys in 2023, the first time they have been seen so far south in over 200 years. As a result an 'Osprey Conservation Plan' has been put in place, leading to complications at the site for further use In a letter quoted in the report it notes that 'it is clear that the full commercial and charitable objectives of the Green Man Group, as set out in its business plan for the use of Gilestone Farm, can no longer be realised. 'This is because the report advises that a 750m restricted zone around the nest must be in place on the farm within which only very limited human activity can take place.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app A subsequent valuation has found the site is now valued at £3.75m. 'The significant loss in the value of the property is particularly notable in the current financial climate, and we expect the Welsh Government to clarify its future intentions for the site and to set out how it will mitigate the financial loss to the public purse,' added Mr Isherwood. 'To ensure lessons are learned, the Committee will want to carry out further work looking at the Welsh Government's approach to property investments, to assess whether current processes are sufficiently rigorous and fit for purpose.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store