A COVID-19 Recovery Fund of £150,000 has been announced by Barry Town Council (BTC) in an attempt to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

The cash aims to support a more resilient Barry and was agreed at a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday, July 29.

To enhance the public realm, councillors agreed that budget of £5,000 be allocated for the purchase of Shop Local/Love Barry bunting to be displayed in Holton Road and High Street using the existing Christmas lights infrastructure in both areas.

This would be subject Vale of Glamorgan Council highways department approvals.

But the annual Fireworks Fiesta is in doubt if Government guidelines on restricting mass gatherings are still in force.

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Councillors unanimously agreed to repurpose a number of existing budget headings and use money from reserves to launch the fund directed at independent traders, local businesses, and community groups based in Barry.

Councillors agreed that a budget of £4,000 would be repurposed from the corporate advertising budget for the purpose of BTC entering into a 12 month contract with an external social media management company to promote shopping locally and the town across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, noting that officers will obtain three separate quotes to demonstrate best value for money.

The independent trader fund will see an increase from the usual £3,000 small business grants to a new £50,000 grant allocation committed to helping Barry traders with the added expenses covid-19 restrictions have placed on businesses.

The council said this will support new ways of working and can be used to instil confidence in shoppers plus any other ideas that traders have which would boost the economy and their own business.

Applications would be welcome up to a value of £1,500.

The fund will also help Barry community groups who have seen the effects of covid-19.

It aims to keep these groups running or help them to restart in a covid-19 safe environment.

BTC has increased its annual grants programme and set aside £40,000 for this purpose and invites applications up to the value of £1,500 for small and impactful projects.

Previous voluntary and community group applicants are encouraged to reapply if they wish to deliver their ideas in different ways.

The fund will also be used to enhance Barry’s shopping areas with £5,000 set aside for enhancing the public realm.

A total of £10,000 will be committed to enhance statutory education provision, which may take the form of engaging young people in new ways.

BTC community engagement officer, Robyn Walsh said: “Barry Town Council will be working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to add value to its tri-funding currently available and to maximise support for the recovery of shopping areas, all Vale town centres, and our town as a whole.

“The council understands that due to covid-19 restrictions, it is unlikely that a Firework Fiesta event will take place this year, but it has set aside the £10,000 to be repurposed if a new and safe approach can be found.

“Some of the council’s events will be moved to online events.

“For example, the successful Santa Fun Run - this means that unspent event monies will be added to the Covid-19 Recovery Fund.”

She added: “The council will utilise the remaining balance to support the recovery of the economy, possibly through supporting outdoor market space which is being explored with traders.

“If you have any ideas on how we can help to boost local shopping areas or the town centre, please do get in touch.”

Applications for grant funding will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday, August 10 and reviewed on a weekly basis to ensure a speedy programme of delivery.

BTC said it recognises the urgency and wants to move as quickly as possible to boost the town’s recovery.

For information, or to receive an application form, email info@barrytowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01446 738663.