Town Centre Maintenance Grant applications accepted for 25 properties
At least 25 properties in Tonypandy and Mountain Ash are benefitting from a new Town Centre Maintenance Grant to improve property fronts – and the Council is still accepting new applications.
Following Cabinet’s approval in September 2017, the Council started a one-year pilot for a new Town Centre Maintenance Grant for businesses in the Tonypandy and Mountain Ash Retail Areas, through a £50,000 investment. The scheme could be extended into other areas following a review which will be undertaken later this year.
The Grant allows traders and landlords, including those of vacant properties, to carry out improvement and maintenance works to building exteriors – including painting, powder coating on shutters and a range of repairs.
Works must be carried out by a reputable contractor, and the scheme will contribute a maximum of 75% towards eligible costs – with a maximum grant of £1,000. A further grant of up to £300 (75% maximum contribution) may also be available where scaffolding or skip hire is required to carry out the work.
Applications were accepted for the scheme from October 9, 2017, and 25 businesses have since had their Grant applications approved by the Council. A further 11 applications have been received by the Council, and they are currently being considered and processed.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: “The Council agreed to pilot a new Town Centre Maintenance Grant to give business-owners and landlords in Mountain Ash and Tonypandy financial support to improve the appearance of their property fronts – therefore helping to improve the wider town centre street scene.
“Improving our town centres and their visitor offer, and ultimately making them a more attractive place to work and visit, is a priority for this Council. It is hoped this will, in turn, encourage external investment from the private sector.
“We’ve had a very good response to the Town Centre Maintenance Grant pilot scheme in Tonypandy and Mountain Ash, with a total of 36 applications received by the Council – and 25 approved so far.
“Traders and landlords in these two areas can still benefit from the Grant, and a review of the scheme will be undertaken later on in the year, which will inform its possible extension into other town centres.”
Applications are assessed on a first-come first-served basis, are limited to one per property, and do not have a deadline. Officers have contacted businesses in Mountain Ash and Tonypandy to make them aware of how they can apply. Owners of vacant properties in eligible areas have also been contacted.
For more information and to apply, email regeneration@rctcbc.gov.uk.
