Welsh Government Coastal Capacity Building Scheme extended

The Welsh Government has announced a two-year extension of its Coastal Capacity Building Scheme, which will continue to support community-led environmental projects through funding of £260,000 per year from 2025/26 to 2026/27.
Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs, said: "This funding extension reflects our commitment to improving resilience in our coastal communities.
"These locally-led projects are exactly the kind of collaborative approach we need – bringing together communities, local authorities and businesses to protect our precious marine environment while creating sustainable opportunities.
"The scheme strengthens the connection between local coastal communities and nature, helping people understand the actions they can take to make a difference."
Delivered through the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), the scheme has already supported 11 projects since its launch in October 2023.
One of the funded projects is the Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership, which ran workshops to connect people with coastal habitats and raise awareness of environmental protection.
Rebecca Sharp, countryside and wildlife team leader at Neath Port Talbot Council, said: "The aim of the Coastal Connections Project was to get people engaged with the coastline in Neath Port Talbot and raise awareness of the amazing habitats and species we have along our shores.
"Neath Port Talbot's coastline is generally associated with its rich industrial heritage rather than its habitats and wild spaces.
"The project therefore aimed to highlight the area's often-overlooked natural beauty and encourage a broader appreciation of its ecological importance."
Activities included beach cleans, seashore safaris, and a marine mammal medic course delivered in partnership with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Organisation.
Funding applications remain open to new and existing partners interested in supporting coastal communities.
Organisations are encouraged to email lnpcymru@wcva.cymru to apply.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

7 hours ago

• Wales Online

Backlash from thousands who want parking fees scrapped at popular Welsh beach

Backlash from thousands who want parking fees scrapped at popular Welsh beach The council say the charges help to maintain an important public space Aberavon seafront had parking charges introduced earlier this year (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) Members of Neath Port Talbot Council are set to discuss options for parking in Aberavon later this month after calls from residents to reinstate free parking along the beachfront. The move came after a public backlash when the local authority introduced parking charges at The Princess Margaret Way laybys along the beachfront in April. This led to the creation of a petition with thousands of signatures from locals which they said was launched in order to fight the decision and "make the beach more accessible" for residents and tourists. ‌ Others added that frustrations were caused for some users due to the lack of cash payment options in the area, with payment accessed through an app or phone-based systems. ‌ Discussions on the issue will now come at council scrutiny session on June 27, where members will hear of proposals to introduce new short-stay parking tariffs at four nearby off-street car parks from April 1, 2026. These will include Bay View, Ocean Way, Scarlet Avenue and Victoria Road car parks with proposed tariffs of £1 for one hour and £2 for two hours in order to "support short-stay visitors to the seafront allowing them to pay with cash using the existing pay and display machines." It was however noted that payments made at these car parks would not be transferable to the laybys, with the possibility of installing cash payment machines there not deemed as feasible due to the cost of installing them. Article continues below A council spokesperson said: "We've listened to the concerns raised since the introduction of charges and are proposing changes that aim to make parking at the seafront more accessible and easier to use. "Whether you're visiting for a quick walk or a full day out, we want to make parking as simple and flexible as possible—while helping to maintain one of our county borough's most important public spaces." The council says it will also ask for permission from the Welsh Government to install clearer signage along The Princess Margaret Way to improve information about payment options. ‌ However, speaking after the announcement of the proposals, which came ahead of a scheduled public meeting, Councillor Sean Pursey of Sandfields East said he felt they did nothing to address most of the issues raised. He said: "The local councillors for Sandfields have been raising their concerns with the charges since 2023. Despite this and several petitions with thousands of signatures, the proposals went ahead. "Many of the concerns raised in 2023 have come to bear since - the charges are having an impact on both the health and well-being of residents in Neath Port Talbot, and the businesses on the seafront - that impact is not worth the revenue that is being raised. ‌ "The councils proposed changes to the other car park tariffs do nothing to address most of these issues and won't be implemented until next year in any case. "It is disappointing that the council has come forward with these proposed changes before hearing the feedback in the public meeting from residents and businesses. "We hope that following the meeting the leader and cabinet member reflect on the genuine concerns that will be expressed and scrap the lay-by charges." Article continues below

Business News Wales

9 hours ago

• Business News Wales

Number of Employee-Owned Businesses in Wales Nears 100

The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales is now approaching 100 – exceeding a Welsh Government pledge to get to 74 by 2026. The Welsh Government's Business Wales and Social Business Wales service offers specialist advice to support employee buy outs, with fully funded and bespoke help available to help business owners decide if employee ownership and share schemes are the right solution for their business. The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales now stands at 95, exceeding the Programme for Government commitment to double the number in Wales and reach 74 by 2026. Research shows that employee-owned businesses perform particularly strongly, with employees demonstrating greater engagement and commitment. The commercial benefits are also becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs creating new businesses to help attract and reward talented employees and drive business growth. One company to receive support is Cambrian Training Group, a leading provider of apprenticeship and vocational training across Wales. The Welshpool company, which marked 30 years of business by becoming employee owned earlier this year, was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Mid Wales Tourism to deliver vocational and hospitality skills as part of the development of the region's tourism sector. It now employs 65 staff and has expanded its work-based learning, skills and apprenticeship programmes into a range of other sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Arwyn Watkins OBE, of Cambrian Training Group, said: 'Securing Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) status is a significant step in our journey. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and this move ensures that they have a direct stake in our continued success. 'The decision to move towards an EOT rather than opting for a trade sale was motivated by the desire to sustain the company's culture, values, and commitment to quality over the long term.' The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'By improving employee well-being and job satisfaction, the employee-ownership model plays a key part in strengthening the foundations on which every successful business is built. 'It's proven benefits include giving employees more control over their own destiny, and providing business owners with the peace of mind that that the future of their business is in safe hands, and that the future of their highly valued employees has been safeguarded in the community the business was fostered in. 'I urge more businesses to explore the benefits on offer via Business Wales and Social Business Wales, to ensure Wales-based companies remain in Welsh hands.'

South Wales Argus

a day ago

• South Wales Argus

Senedd rejection for renewed calls for M4 relief road

Sam Rowlands described the M4 relief road as a golden opportunity, not only to ease congestion for motorists but also to boost the economy. The Conservatives' shadow finance secretary said the Welsh Government spent £135m of public money on the project before it was scrapped in June 2019. He accused then-first minister Mark Drakeford of breaking a pledge on the £1.6bn relief road and going against an inquiry's finding that the costs would outweigh the benefits two to one. Mr Rowlands told the Senedd: 'At every step of this journey, there's been indecision and money wasted. At the end of it all, it's been the Welsh people who've had to suffer as a result. And nothing has been done to ease congestion around Newport ever since.' Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru's shadow transport secretary, criticised the Tories for calling for a new road through a site of special scientific interest. Calling for a more affordable and environmentally sustainable solution, he raised the lengthy and costly completion of the Heads of the Valleys Road improvements. He told the Senedd: 'After 23 years of roadworks and around £2bn later, [the] Welsh Government will now pay more than £40m a year for 30 years to a private firm before the road will be publicly owned in 2055.' Mr Owen Griffiths, who represents South Wales East, criticised the Welsh Government for being 'too slow' to put forward a genuine alternative solution to M4 congestion. John Griffiths welcomed £445m from the UK spending review for rail in Wales, including three new railway stations planned in his Newport East constituency. Mr Griffiths called for urgency in taking forward the recommendations of the Burns commission 'after far too much delay'. Natasha Asghar said her constituents in South Wales East are regularly faced with bumper-to-bumper traffic and long delays on the route which is not fit for purpose. 'These never ending clogs are not just a nightmare for those stuck in them, they're also a major economic roadblock,' she said. 'The constant gridlock and unreliable nature of the M4 is undoubtedly making Wales a less attractive place to do business.' Senedd members voted 32-12 against the Tory motion following the debate on June 18.