Parts of the Tudno ward in Llandudno are in the 10% most deprived areas of Wales, leading to increased calls for an improved Welsh Government poverty reduction programme by the Welsh Government.

Local Assembly Member, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“The Welsh Labour Government have admitted that the Communities First scheme has failed the people of Wales, despite spending over £300m since 2001.

“Locally, the Tudno ward has benefitted from some wonderful community initiatives, including upgrades to the football stadium; as well as a boost in successful local businesses, and a variety of facilities at the Ty Llewelyn Community Centre. So questions must be asked as to why the Welsh Labour Government’s programme has proved so ineffective here.

“The people of this ward deserve better from their Government – and I call on the Cabinet Secretary to work closely with communities such as this in developing his forthcoming poverty-reduction programme.”

Notes:

The current Communities First programme is due to end next year, after the Welsh Labour Government admitted it “has not had an impact on overall poverty levels in Wales, which remain stubbornly high”. More than £300m has been spent on the programme since 2001.

In Llandudno, Communities First was active in the Tudno and Mostyn Wards. However, since 2005, all 5 of the Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) that these wards cover fell in the overall Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation, with Tudno 2 ranked just 113 out of 1909 LSOAs in Wales.

Details available via the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation: http://wimd.wales.gov.uk/lsoa/w01000187?lang=en