Caerau and Ely could be put forward to receive up to £20 million of long‑term investment through the UK Government’s new Pride in Place programme, if the Council’s Cabinet endorses the proposal.
The programme aims to support communities most in need across the UK by investing in local priorities, improving neighbourhoods, and giving residents greater influence over decisions that affect their area.
If the bid is successful, both wards could receive funding over the next 10 years to:
- Strengthen community life and support local groups
- Improve the street scene, local facilities, and public spaces
- Boost skills, jobs, and economic opportunities
- Create safer, healthier neighbourhoods
- Help residents shape a long‑term vision for their community
Recent data from the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2025 shows that Caerau and Ely have the highest levels of deprivation in Cardiff.
The latest bid could build on the Ely and Caerau Community Plan, approved in 2024, which was created with input from more than 1,200 local residents and partners, including South Wales Police and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The new programme would help develop this work further and deliver long‑term improvements.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, welcomed the news, saying: “Local residents in Caerau and Ely have told us clearly what matters to them through the recent community plan. If this new funding programme is approved for Ely and Caerau, it will give us a real opportunity to support local priorities, improve neighbourhoods, and help residents shape a positive future for their area.
“Given the high levels of need shown through the latest WIMD data, these communities deserve this funding so that a long‑term programme of investment can be delivered in these areas.”
If the UK Government approves the proposal, the following steps will be taken to identify and manage the distribution of the funding:
- A Neighbourhood Board will be created, bringing together local residents, community leaders, businesses, councillors, and partners.
- An independent chair will be appointed to lead the Board.
- The Board will develop a 10‑year Regeneration Plan for Caerau and Ely, setting out how investment will be used.
- Governance and community engagement work would begin in 2026, with full regeneration plans expected to be approved by spring 2027.
Most of the funding would be allocated to capital projects, such as buildings, infrastructure, and major improvements, supported by revenue funding to help plan and deliver the programme.
Councils across the UK are required to submit their proposals by 9 January 2026, and Cardiff Council’s Cabinet is expected to endorse the bid for both Ely and Caerau at its meeting on Thursday, January 8th.
If the UK Government accepts the proposal for both Ely and Caerau to receive the funding, a dedicated Communities Delivery Unit will be established to work with the Council and local partners to begin the setup phase in the next financial year.
