People living in the Upper Afan Valley are being asked to help decide how a £20 million investment could be used to bring long-term change to the area.
The Neighbourhood Board for the Upper Afan Valley, which was formally established in July, has made engaging with residents, organisations and wider stakeholders its top priority as work progresses on the Pride in Place Programme.
Board members and their support team have spent the summer meeting residents, attending events and speaking to groups working across the upper valley.
In early September, a household survey will be launched giving every household an opportunity to share what they would like the Upper Afan Valley to look like in ten years, how they want life in the area to change and what success would look like.
Events are also planned in every village during September and October, with arrangements being made to gather the views of children and young people, vulnerable residents and wider stakeholders.
Information gathered through the engagement will be used to develop a vision for the Pride in Place Programme and help guide decisions about where the £20 million investment could be targeted.
The Board is also calling for project ideas from people and organisations across the valley.
Anyone who already has a project that could support the Pride in Place Programme is being encouraged to submit their proposals.
The Board also wants to hear potential ideas that people believe would benefit the area, even if they are not in a position to deliver the projects themselves.
The process is not an application for funding, but will instead help the Board understand the range of activities that could potentially support the programme.
The deadline for submitting project ideas is October 31, 2026.
Chair of the Neighbourhood Board Karen Jones said:
“The Pride in Place Programme is all about people living in the Upper Afan Valley shaping the future of their place. The funding being made available from the UK Government is intended to bring about long- lasting change. We want to ensure that there are many opportunities for people to tell us what they want this programme to achieve and to discuss how they can be part of delivering that change.
“The call for project ideas we are launching today is an important part of the start of those conversations. I have already visited many voluntary groups who have told me about the changes they would like to make. I am sure there are many more excellent ideas out there and this is an important opportunity to tell us about them.”
Councillor Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:
“The Pride in Place Programme wants to ensure local communities have a voice in shaping the future of the Upper Afan Valley. I would encourage anyone with a project idea, whether it’s already developed or just an early concept, to share it with the Neighbourhood Board.
“By listening to local people and working together, we can make the most of this significant investment and deliver lasting benefits for the valley.”
MP for Aberavon Maesteg, Stephen Kinnock said:
“The UK Government’s £20 million Pride in Place investment in the Upper Afan Valley represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a lasting difference to communities across the valley. The success of the programme will ultimately be judged by whether it delivers the changes that local people want to see, which is why listening to residents and local organisations must be at the heart of everything we do.
“We want people to be ambitious about the future of the Upper Afan Valley and to share their ideas, whether they are already developing a project or simply have a ‘twinkle in the eye’ idea for an intervention they believe could make a real difference.
“I would encourage everyone across the valley to get involved, to have their say and to put forward their ideas. Together, we can build a clear vision for the future and ensure this investment delivers meaningful, long-lasting change for generations to come.”
Find out more: https://survey.sqw.co.uk/s/PrideinPlaceAfanValley/
