THERE has been a mixed response to the effectiveness of the Welsh Government’s anti-poverty Communities First scheme, following the announcement it would be scrapped.

Barry’s Gibbonsdown and Thompson Street/Castleland were deemed Communities First areas, but its achievements have since been questioned.

Welsh Government communities and children secretary, Carl Sargeant said his priorities were wellbeing and economic prosperity and it was time for a new approach to building resilient communities.

He said: “While Communities First has supported people in some of our most deprived areas over the last fifteen years, I am not convinced that continuing to focus on 52 small areas is the most effective way to deliver for Wales.

“I am minded to phase out the Communities First programme while establishing a new approach to meet the challenges of the future. The new approach will focus on three key areas of employment, early years, and empowerment.”

He added: “We must find fresh ways to respond. We will engage internal and external stakeholders on our future approach, including the proposal to phase out Communities First and how we continue to deliver.”

Vale council head of regeneration and planning, Marcus Goldsworthy said the creation of the Barry Communities First Cluster in 2013 had been of huge benefit to Vale residents; assisting more than 200 people into sustainable work.

He said: “The team has also supported a further 550 people with vocational training and the necessary skills and qualifications to help them find work in the local job market.

“Alongside our partners Jobcentre Plus and Careers Wales, the Cluster team has organised at least two Jobs Fairs per year which have provided support and numerous job opportunities for people from across the whole of Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan. Over 700 people attended our most recent Jobs Fair in early October, with many local employers and training providers also in attendance.

“The decision to discontinue the programme’s funding is one for Welsh Government and there is currently a consultation over the issue.

“While the Vale council would obviously be hugely disappointed to see its demise, we will work with Welsh Government during the consultation in an attempt to ensure that the most important benefits of the programme are achieved in anything that succeeds it.”

But Gibbonsdown Residents Board chairwoman, Molly Conway criticised the initiative.

She said: “I don’t think it has helped the people it was supposed to have helped. It was supposed to have helped deprived people, but the deprivation is still here. So what are they going to put in its place?”

She added that money had gone on paying staff and that decision makers had done what they thought was needed rather than directly asking the people concerned what was needed.

Meanwhile, Vale AM, Jane Hutt said that Communities First was originally launched in Gibbonsdown 15 years ago.

She said: “Working with residents, local government, the health service and voluntary sector and other agencies, much has been achieved and the Welsh Government is now consulting on how to face new challenges-with key priorities including employment and early years, learning lessons from Communities First, especially in the areas served by the programme."