Wrexham initiative awarded nearly £50k through landfill community scheme

A Wrexham initiative has been awarded nearly £50,000 through a new landfill community scheme.

The Venture Ltd in Wrexham is amongst 27 organisations across Wales to benefit from a share of over £1 million the Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Community Scheme (LDTCS).

The scheme is a new funding programme managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).

It was established by the Welsh Government to support local community and environmental projects in areas affected by disposals to landfill. It is funded by the new Welsh Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) which replaced UK Landfill Tax in April 2018.

LDT is a tax on the disposal of waste to landfill and is charged by weight. It is the first time that money raised from the Landfill Disposals Tax has been used to support a bespoke Welsh funding scheme.

The Venture Ltd, which is based in Caia Park, has been awarded £47,916.48 for its ‘Ail Natur | Second Nature’ project – which ’empowers children and young people to adapt and maintain local green spaces through forest husbandry and education’.

Its ‘Y Hwb Ailgylchu | The Recycling Hub’ scheme also aims to instil ‘best practice whilst encouraging reusability and acting as a barrier to landfill. Exemplify custodianship through positive community activity, such as litter picks’.

Minister for Environment Energy and Rural Affairs and Wrexham’s AM, Lesley Griffiths, praised the funding and said it would have a number of wider environmental benefits: “I’m delighted the establishment of Landfill Disposals Tax has led to 27 projects benefitting from more than £1million through our new Landfill Disposals Tax Community Scheme.

“These projects will have far reaching benefits to communities, the environment and wildlife that will continue for generations to come.”

Applications for a second round of funding have recently closed. However, two rounds of funding will take place in each year the scheme operates.

The second round of funding included a call for a nationally significant project costing between £50,000-£250,000.

Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans, said: “With the challenges of Brexit it is more important than ever that we utilise every opportunity we have to award funding to viable projects that will benefit the wider population.

“I’d like to wish the best of luck to everyone applying for the next round.”

Ruth Marks, WCVA’s Chief Executive, said: “The successful grant applicants represent a really exciting range of projects from across Wales.

“From taking action to improve local community facilities, enhancing the natural environment and promoting waste minimisation, these projects will have a great impact in Wales.

“The first round generated a great deal of interest and WCVA is pleased to be working with Welsh Government and our County Voluntary Council partners to deliver this scheme.”