FAQs

Barry was selected by the UK Government as one of the 75 places across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to receive funding. The aim is to support places that have been left behind and give local people more control over decisions that affect their neighbourhoods.

Barry has been awarded up to £20 million over the next decade through the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods. This will be allocated in instalments over a 10-year period to 2035.

How the money is spent is not decided by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Local people can help decide how the money is spent, and the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board has been set up to gather ideas and oversee the allocation of the funding.

The funding will be managed by three key groups working together:

1. Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board – a group of local leaders, residents, business owners, and organisations who will create the plan and make decisions based on what’s best for Barry.

2. Vale of Glamorgan Council – they’ll help the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board to deliver the plan.

3. The local community – that’s you! Your ideas and feedback will help shape the projects that matter most to Barry. No one knows what Barry needs better than those who live and work here.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council provides administrative support to the Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board and is the accountable body responsible for executing plans, due diligence of the funding, grant payment agreements and financial reporting. The funding does not go into the Council’s budget, it is ring-fenced specifically for Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods.

The UK Government chose Barry as one of 75 towns to receive Plan for Neighbourhoods investment, an initiative to fix the foundations of those places most left behind. The money comes directly from the UK Government and is separate from Welsh Government funding.

The UK Government will release the first round of funding in April 2026. We’ve already started planning the programme and speaking to people in the community.

No. This is a separate programme from the Levelling Up Fund. While Barry has received Levelling Up funding too, the Plan for Neighbourhoods is a different initiative putting power in the hands of local people to regenerate their local area.

A Regeneration Plan will be developed by the  Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board to guide how the money is spent, with an Investment Plan for the first four years.

The money can’t be used for statutory services which the Vale of Glamorgan Council or other bodies should deliver. It can’t be used to change decisions which have been made by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Once the Regeneration Plan is approved and funding begins in 2026, there may be opportunities for local groups, businesses, and organisations to apply for funding. At this stage, we need to hear from you about the priorities and issues that matter to you.

There is no grant application process as yet, but you can:

• Submit your idea through our community engagement channels – email us on [email protected] or fill in the contact form on our website.

Stay informed via updates from the  Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board

Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board has agreed five action groups which have been set up to develop project ideas for the Regeneration Plan. Action groups are made-up of members of the public.

The action groups are:

• Safer Barry – to improve safety in public spaces and reduce re-offending

• Barry Futures – to invest in new jobs, training and skills

• Vibrant Barry – to support thriving high streets and neighbourhood hubs

• Barry Thriving Communities – to improve local services and support community groups and volunteers

• Barry Together – to support events and participatory activities in Barry