Social Value Ideas for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Youth funding gap after SPF

The youth service faces a significant funding pressure because Shared Prosperity Fund support for targeted work ended in March 2026 and there is no dedicated Welsh Government funding for universal pre…

“A large proportion of our targeted work has been supported by SPF funding, and the transition for that funding ended in March 2026. At the same time, …”

Youth work statutory plan

Welsh Government's new statutory framework requires Blaenau Gwent Youth Service to produce a five-year youth work strategic plan from April 2027, defining universal and targeted provision, governance,…

“This report's to provide an overview of the strengthened legislative framework for youth work in Wales and what it means for Blaenau Gwent and Blaenau…”

New youth service funding routes

The report explained that the replacement for SPF and related growth funds is restricted mainly to post-16 and has a much less favourable revenue/capital split. This policy environment blocks their us…

“So the replacement of SPF isn't just UK Growth, but it's UK Growth Fund, Trailblazer- Trailblazer ... and there's another, I can't think of the name o…”

Core youth service funding remains

Jo Sims clarified that core youth service funding continues and that the service is not facing an immediate collapse. She said around one-fifth of the youth service is core funded, with the immediate …

“So, the SPF aspect of funding is not continuing, but our core funding, at this point, is continuing, and so are the other elements of the grants that …”

Seek government funding support

The committee indicated it wants direct engagement with Welsh Government to seek extra funding for youth services, including pressing the issue of the capital/revenue split that limits pre-16 delivery…

“In my opinion, I don't know what anyone else think, the strong recommendations are that I think this committee would like some direct engagement with …”

Tourism chalets outside boundary

The committee discussed and approved a departure from the local development plan to allow two holiday chalets at Dan-y-Bryn, Tredegar, outside the settlement boundary. Officers explained that higher-l…

“This application has been presented to committee as it is contrary to LDP policy SB1, as the site is located outside the settlement boundary. In terms…”

Planning capacity pressures

The development management service reported sustained operational pressure from staffing shortages, back-office system changes, increased regulatory requirements and the need to process older, more co…

“The report focuses on four key indicators. So firstly, in terms of timeliness, we have consistently exceeded the Welsh average. Our in-time performanc…”

New evidence requirements

Officers explained that Welsh Government expectations have recently increased the documentation required before planning applications can be determined, especially on ecology, green infrastructure, su…

“Can I just come back in on that? Just to let you know or just to clarify that the work on the LIRs, that's not reported under the figures. No, they're…”

DoLS law change lowers demand

A legal change to deprivation of liberty case law was described as a positive development because it reduces the number of assessments needed when a person is content in a care environment and not try…

“So what the change in the case law does is, historically as a state, we had to authorize the deprivation of their liberty, even if they weren't object…”

CIW actions mostly complete

The committee reviewed progress against external audit and inspection recommendations. Most actions were reported as complete or on track, with a few remaining items linked to Deprivation of Liberty S…

“So members will be aware that particularly in the adult services world, we have a lot of scrutiny in terms of external audits and inspections. So this…”