SD35 - Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

across the county borough will be able to access the facility andgrant scheme.Indigenous Retail & Service Sector Grant:To provide financial assistance to the indigenous retail & servicesector businesses in the towns and villages. This grant willcomplement the Commercial Improvement Grants available forexternal works by providing grants towards marketing, internalfixtures and fittings, staff training and ICT. An influx of ‘peripherallyplaced’ retail outlets such as Asda, Tesco & Morrisons have had aprofound negative impact on trade of the smaller indigenous retailbusinesses. Linked with the physical regeneration of the towncentres this grant scheme is seen as key to safeguarding anddeveloping growth of retail and service sector businesses. Resultsfrom a previous grant scheme (2003-2006) and evidence collatedfrom local retailers shows a significant demand. EU fundingexcludes retail and service sectors.Borough Wide Bus Corridor ImprovementsTo provide new and upgraded bus corridor infrastructure tocomplement the existing bus services and further promote use ofpublic transport as a means of travel. This would include new busshelters, raised boarding platforms, information displays, signingand improved access to stopsRaising the Tourism Potential of Blaenau Gwent:In 2010 Blaenau Gwent will host the National Eisteddfod at TheWorks site in Ebbw Vale. In the two years leading up to the festivalthe Council needs to maximise tourism potential and upgrade someexisting facilities. The project proposes the development of a keyheadliner event – Abertillery Blues Festival – as well as thedevelopment of a specific event strategy for the county borough asrecommended in the Blue Sail Event Strategy documentcommissioned by CRT for the HoV region. The Abertillery BluesFestival is mainly held at Abertillery Park. This project seeks torefurbish the Park to include an upgrade to the changing facilities,road access and utilities for camping facilties. Revenue support issought to develop the Blues Festival and other cultural events.Establishment of a Business Crime PartnershipThe aim of this project is to establish a Business Crime Partnershipand appoint a Business Crime Reduction Manager for the benefit ofa town centre communities. The Manager would address high fearof crime, undesirables taking over street furniture, high levels ofshop theft, perception of the town centre being out of control atnight and a vicious circle of degeneration.Projects Requiring Further DevelopmentThese Projects were not assessed as the panel felt that moreinformation was needed on how these projects would be delivered.Improving The Health of Children & Parents Through Prevention:The health of children and young people is an issue and this projectseeks to work directly with young children and their parents at theearliest opportunity – even at the antenatal stage. Existingprogrammes will be developed and new ones planned addressinghealthy eating, active living & exercise, dental hygiene, children’splay and speech and language programmes. For example antenatalsupport is available to parents at Nevill Hall Hospital inAbergavenny not in the county borough. The programme will seekto accredit teenage mums with OCN Food & Nutrition and whereappropriate provide advice and guidance on using this accreditationin the workplace.31