BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

Report for Year Ended 31st March 2014

by Helen Roderick, Sustainable Development Officer

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Contents

2013/14 in Brief Page 3-4

SDF and the Well Being Goals Page 4-5

Projects Updates with Pictures Pages 6-19

Indicators & Output Measures Page 20

Appendix 1 : The Well-being Goals of the Future Generations Bill

Appendix 2 : Grants Paid in 2013/14

Pictures on front cover

Course Members walling on Mynydd Illtyd

Members of Brecon and District MIND planting at Watton Allotments

The whole community enjoying Hay Spring Fair

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The Sustainable Development Fund

Annual Report 2013-2014

The aim of the Fund, initially set up by the Welsh Government in 2000 is to develop and test

ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in a countryside of great natural beauty and diversity in

which the local characteristics of culture, wildlife, landscape, land use and community are conserved and

enhanced.

Since 2000 SDF has both tested ways of living sustainably in a rural area and contributed to the wider

sustainability agenda especially regarding renewable energy and wider rural development including

projects applying for major schemes such as Talgarth and Myddfai and the Village SOS scheme. In

2013/14 SDF has enabled 32 local jobs to be created or protected and is extremely valuable in creating

partnerships to develop a strong local economy.

SDF is even more relevant in 2014 and will be an important tool in enabling and levering in resources to

meet the vision of the 2014 policy statement on National Parks from the Welsh Government which

states that, “The designated landscapes will be areas where new solutions to environmental challenges

are tried and tested. Rural communities will fully collaborate with partnerships and authorities

identifying issues, defining success and targeting investment.”

“These living, working landscapes will be exemplars of sustainable development. Containing vibrant rural

communities, extensive recreational opportunities, thriving valued ecosystems and a rich biodiversity.”

“The National Park Authorities should articulate visions of rural development which provide models that

are not merely specific to their area but of broader use to others involved in the development and

implementation of rural policy in Wales and beyond.”

The Objectives of the SDF Scheme are:-

To explore innovative ways of contributing as far as practicable to the Assembly Government’s

vision of a sustainable Wales and of breaking down barriers that can act as obstacles to

sustainability

To integrate sustainable development with the special qualities of the National Park/AONB and

demonstrate the contribution of a strong sense of place and local identity to sustainable living.

To build capacity in local communities and to develop and support community based projects

promoting sustainable development objectives.

To generate greater awareness and understanding of sustainability amongst residents and

visitors and facilitate positive behaviour change.

The Management of the Scheme

The scheme, ring-fenced at £200,000 in 2013/14, is administered by the Sustainable Communities

Team. Officers from the Communities team help projects to develop their ideas, formulate their

business plans, form partnerships with other local groups and organisations and look for additional

funding sources. This advice from officers is vital to the development of successful projects. Many

of the project profiles highlight the value of the officer support. Richard Renshaw of the Cwmdu

Walls project states, “Without the funding and support of the officer the project would have foundered.

The officer took an active interest throughout the project and her common sense approach to problems was

a great morale booster whenever difficulties were encountered.”

SDF applications are put before a joint meeting of the Grants Advisory Panel, made up of members of

the community and the SDF Members Panel. The Grants Advisory Panel vote initially on applications

and the final decision is made by the six Members of the Authority.

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Highlights for 2013/14

33 projects received £200,633 from the Sustainable Development Fund in 2013/14. A full list of the

projects, total project costs and amounts received from SDF is contained in Appendix 2.

32 jobs were created/protected

In excess of 50,000 volunteer hours were worked on projects supported by SDF

The match funding ratio on grants paid was 3 : 1. This means that for every £1 of SDF spent on

projects across the National Park £3 more is levered in from other sources.

The ratio of private to public funding on projects awarded grants was 5.42 : 1

All projects meet at least two of the objectives of the scheme adding to the capacity, delivery and

understanding of sustainable development.

SDF Contributing to Well-being of Future Generations

All SDF projects supported in 2013-14 contribute to the delivery of the proposed goals of the Well-

being of Future Generations Bill. As an early adopter of the Well-being of Future Generations Duty the

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority will be expected in coming years to demonstrate its

contribution to the delivery of the Well-being goals. This report includes an early indication of how SDF

can play an important part in this. For information on the Wellbeing goals please refer to Appendix 1 at

the end of the report.

SDF Projects in 2013/14 Contributing to the Delivery of Proposed Well Being Goals

Project Name Goal 1

A

Prosperous

Wales

Goal 2

A Resilient

Wales

Goal 3

A Healthier

Wales

Goal 4

A More

Equal

Wales

Goal 5

A Wales of

Cohesive

Communities

Goal 6

A Wales of

Vibrant

Culture &

Language

Take pART

Rebound Books

Adfer Ban a Chwm

Myddfai Centre

Homemakers

Myddfai Trading

Long Forest

Calch

St. John’s

Llangattock Woods

Eco Open Doors

DSWA 2013

Cwmdu Walls

Talgarth Mill Garden

Newmarch Allotments

Watton Allotments

Brecon Advice Centre

Saline/Twinning

Good Day Out

Gwynfe Community

Beacons Wholefoods

B Part

Beacons Community

Hydros

Fruit Juicing & Harvest

Lluest

Hay Castle

Dysgu a Hwyl

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Brecon Cathedral

Hay Spring Fair

Black Mountains

Community Hub

Talybont

Hay Tours

Talgarth Mill Business

Projects in 2013/14 can be categorised under the following headings:-

- Community Regeneration/Renewable Energy

- Recycling & Social Inclusion

- Food & Education

- Conservation/Biodiversity

- A Focus on Hay

- Other

Some highlights from projects in each of the categories above are contained in the following section.

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Community Regeneration /Renewable Energy

Beacons Community Hydro Schemes

This project, run by The Green Valleys CIC led to feasibility

studies on seven potential community owned small scale

hydro schemes across the National Park. This included 4

schemes in the Grwyne Valley, 2 schemes in the Dyffryn

Valley and one near Talybont on Usk.

Across the seven schemes the viability ranges from very good

to a good investment with at most an eight year payback

period.

Following these initial studies funding from Ynnir Fro for the

design and permissions phase of three schemes has been

secured and it is hoped that a new lottery loan scheme will

enable the permissions phase for another three to be

undertaken.

Llangattock Community

Woodland Group

This woodland group has continued to

strengthen and develop with the help of SDF.

During the year the group became a charity and

have attracted further funding to increase the

number of key items of machinery, adding a

mobile chain saw and mill and a new log splitter.

Through the management of the five woodlands

currently under its control the group aims to:-

Revitalise neglected local woodland though active

management, enhancing productivity and biodiversity and

promoting the long term health of the eco-system

Create a sustainable local supply of useful timber for

woodfuel, crafts, charcoal making and other purposes.

This is helping to reduce the community’s carbon

footprint by offering a high quality, carbon neutral

alternative to fossil fuel.

Promote traditional woodland skills and crafts through

training and plenty of hands-on opportunities

Enhance the local biodiversity by managing invasive

species, planting flowers and keeping bees

Improve access and encourage greater public awareness

and enjoyment of local woodlands

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During 2013-14 the group had 27 volunteers, 15-16 of which are regular, week in week out

achieving an impressive 2,600 volunteer hours in the year. The challenge for the group to make this

fantastic work truly sustainable is to achieve financial viability. The group sells its products, receives

some income for managing woodlands and loans out its equipment.

It is an excellently managed project which exemplifies sustainable development in action.

Jackie Charlton of the Llangattock Woodland Group highlighted, “The SDF helped our group to

mature and develop by supporting our business case and enabling Llangattock Community

Woodlands to structure resources where they were needed. The officer supported our innovative

approach and gave us the confidence to take bigger steps. We have increased our turnover,

improved our capacity to move towards financial sustainability and given our volunteers the

confidence to commit their time to our new charitable aims. “

Myddfai Trading Company

Myddfai Trading Company Limited is a social enterprise, incorporated in 2010. Their mission is to

provide employment and volunteering opportunities within the local community. They work closely

with the Coastal Project and Colleg Elydir in Rhandirmwyn to provide work experience for adults

with learning difficulties. The Myddfai Trading Company specialises in original branded herbal teas

and a range of up market toiletries. The Company continues to promote the Myddfai Hall and

Visitor Centre as a destination through its activities. SDF has supported the Myddfai Trading

Company since its inception. “The SDF fund has

proven to be invaluable to the Company. The fact

that it was able to

recognise and yet support

the risks inherent in a

new company establishing

itself commercially and

within the boundaries of

its Social Enterprise remit

demonstrates an almost

Venture Capital input from the fund.” Hugh Davies, Director

The constant risk and challenge of sales for the company cannot be

overlooked, but the benefits of the increased confidence and self- esteem

of the young people and adults who work within the Company has been

inspiring and continues to point the way to further developing the Company’s social enterprise

remit.

Myddfai Hall and Visitor Centre

An impressive 55 volunteers help to run this community café, shop

and hall. In addition the shop sells craft products and art on behalf of

55 local contributors. The Hall has been able to create two new

jobs, thanks to SDF and is now able to sustain those going forward.

“The Sustainable Development Fund has been influential and

instrumental in supporting this scheme in its entirety. Without the

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fund key aspects of the original Capital Development Programme would not have been achievable.

Helping seed sustainability into the future with the current operating funds has also been significant.

The fund does more than provide cash. The networking and Project Officer support has been

second to none.” Hugh Davies, Project Manager

Talgarth Mill

SDF has continued to support Talgarth Mill in 2013/14 to expand its public appeal and focus on long

term viability. Support has been given at various points over the last seven years, initially to get the

mill leat restored and to apply for the Village SOS scheme, then to provide fixtures and fittings and

working capital to get the business fully functional and in 2013/14 SDF has provided a much needed

grant to enhance the marketing of the Mill and to upgrade the interpretation offer at the site to

improve the visitor experience.

“Both visitor numbers and flour sales are vastly improved from last year this summer (so far) – really

heartening, and there’s a real positive energy about the Mill – long may it last! I suspect the new

leaflet which you funded has helped a lot. The digital screens are up and running and we just keep on

getting positive comments from visitors – I think we have finally ‘arrived’ – let’s hope so!” Gez

Richards, Talgarth Mill.

The Mill is now an important visitor attraction within the National Park and is a significant local

employer and provides a fantastic community facility. SDF will continue to help and advise this

fledgling business towards true sustainability.

Other Community Regeneration/Renewable Energy Projects

In this category other projects included a major improvement to facilities at Brecon Cathedral, a

major attraction for visitors to the town, but also fully utilised by the community at large. On a

smaller scale the villages of Gwynfe in the West of the Park and Talybont on Usk have made

improvements to the facilities at their community halls to the benefit of both the local community

and tourists.

Recycling & Social Inclusion

Homemakers Abergavenny – Bulky Collection Service

Homemakers in Abergavenny are helping to divert bulky household items from landfill.

Homemakers Community Recycling is a registered charity based in Abergavenny and works

throughout the Brecon Beacons areas of Powys, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.

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The SDF grant award has enabled the

charity to take over the whole of the

collection service for Monmouthshire of

Bulky Household items. The grant has

enabled the employment of a driver to

assist with the collections. This position

has also provided an increase in

volunteering opportunities. In this

instance 87 volunteers have given up

16,123 hours of their time to assist in the

project.

In 2013/14 the service has reused or recycled 286 tonnes of furniture destined for landfill

against a target of 180 tonnes. “The fund has allowed charities and social enterprises such as

ours to grow on all levels.” Robert Davies, Homemakers.

Take pART Earning & Learning

Take pART is the Community Art Workshop for people living in the town of Brecon and its

surrounding area. Take pART uses the premises and equipment of a workshop that was originally

established in 2005, by a young sculptor and printmaker who has schizophrenia. In 2009, with

funding from SDF it became Brecon’s Community Art Workshop.

Take pART provides subsidised W.E.A. (Workers’ Educational Association) Courses for everybody,

including people with Mental, Physical and Learning Disabilities, older people, Carers, people on a

low income and people with addiction problems. During 2013/14 attendance on all courses

increased by over 50%.

They provide opportunities for people to learn new skills, and to exhibit

and sell the work they produce. During 2013/14 Take pART ran a wide

variety of courses including Jewelry, Small Metal Working, Pottery and

Stone Carving, Textiles, Painting and Creative Writing. In addition Take

pART has been involved in outreach activities with army families at

Dering Lines, an art project with Brecon Youth Club and weekly

workshops at the National Park Visitor Centre during the summer

holiday periods featuring Pottery and Mask making. During 2013/14 1200

people have been involved in activities at theTake pART workshop and a further 900 people have

been involved at community workshops.

“The SDF has provided grant support to the Workshop since 2009. Without the initial award from

the SDF it is doubtful whether the Workshop would have been established. The most recent

funding we received in 2013/14 helped us to pay for IT workers to establish an on line presence,

through Facebook, Twitter and to fully develop our website. This presence has enabled us to more

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than double attendance at the Workshops we run and to begin to develop greater sustainability.”

Pat Cook, Take Part.

L’Arche Brecon – Rebound Books

Rebound Books is a social enterprise operating from L’Arche Brecon Community’s small workshop

in Brecon Town Centre. It is a project that saves old books that are destined for landfill and

transforms them into journals, notebooks, sketchbooks and diaries. Each book is unique and can be

custom made to order.

Each book is handmade using high

quality reclaimed paper and wire

bindings to a high standard by the

members of L’Arche Brecon. The

project integrates adults with

learning disabilities with others

from the wider community, making

the skills and gifts of adults with

learning disabilities more visible

and valued by everyone in society.

Through this project the group has seen the

inclusion of people from the wider community and

this has enabled people with learning disabilities to

train participants. The amount of books being

diverted from landfill has doubled in the last year,

with two volunteers visiting recycling centres in the

area weekly. The success of the project has

necessitated a move to bigger premises and the

workshop is now located in the Old Museum in

Brecon. In addition the group has submitted a

proposal to the local authority learning disability

team regarding a block contract to provide more sessions for more people to include making the

books, but also making other products from recycled materials such as cards, bunting, confetti and

cardboard furniture.

Beacons Wholefoods

The SDF grant has enabled the wholefood shop in Brecon, run as a social enterprise for local people

with disabilities, to be refurbished and to generate greater levels of income. Beacons Wholefoods

have commented, “With SDF we have been able to purchase more equipment and bring the shop up

a high standard gaining Food Standard Agency 5*. We have been able to extend our opening hours

and are now showing greatly improved sales an increase of 100% per month. 5 more volunteers

with disabilities have the opportunity to work there.

We have received very positive feed- back from our Support Workers and from the people with

disabilities and their care workers and our customers. Here is a comment from M’s Care

Worker,” “The work at the Wholefood Shop is extremely important to M as she feels she is part

of a team and that she feels she is doing a good job, it gives her a sense of inclusion and good self-

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esteem. She often tells me about her work and how she helps others and also the people she has

met through work and friendships she has made. She has gained many skills by work and training

and attended courses relevant to her work and talks to care workers about her achievements; the

pride she feels is evident.” “Thank you SDF. Beacons Creative has achieved a great leap forward in a

short time.”

Food & Education

The Long Forest Project

The Long Forest project was allocated £60,000 from SDF to :-

Work with landowners and farmers

Survey and improve hedgerows

Raise awareness of hedgerows

Work in partnership collaboratively to improve hedgerows

Project Outcomes

2083 people were reached

through awareness raising sessions

about the value of a network of

well managed and fruitful hedges.

The Long Forest contributed to

the Welsh Government’s Action

Plan for Pollinators.

Hedge surveys were carried out

by volunteers

The project researched traditional hedging hand tools and regional hedging styles and used

these on hedges.

1021 people were involved in practical hedge

management activities

3978 hedging trees were planted in 83 different

hedge improvement activities.

The project supported the small scale

production of sustainable hedgerow tree stakes

by community woodland groups.

20 schools and 24 businesses were involved in

different aspects of the work

Publications were produced which support

hedgerow maintenance and planting

The Long Forest has been successful in working with

established community groups and schools. It is now

hoped that the enthusiasm demonstrated by these

groups can be maintained. Further work needs to be

focused on the harder to reach groups such as farmers and landowners who have the most

significant impact on hedgerows across the Park.

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Community Fruit Harvesting and Pressing

Project Aims:

Arrange and coordinate community fruit collections from

available local fruit trees.

Hold 3 juicing events that enable The Green Valleys to share equipment, skills and

enthusiasm for this years’ local fruit harvest.

Purchase juicing and fruit harvesting equipment.

Outcomes:

In reality five juicing events took place and there were several apple collections. Perhaps the most

notable collections were from:-

Bronllys Hospital Orchard

The Green Valleys were granted access by

NHS Powys Teaching Health Board to collect

apples from the orchard, and to provide future

maintenance and management for the trees

there. This orchard has been neglected and is

very much in need of proper management, to

restore it to former fruit producing glory.

Crickhowell

TGV was contacted by members of the public

who were concerned that the apples and pears

at Crickhowell doctors surgery and ambulance

station were going to waste. As individuals they were not granted access due to health and safety

reasons. However, after persisting with requesting permission, TGV was granted access as long as

they had insurance and the public did not pick without TGV being present.

TGV were able to carry out 2 picks, leaving several boxes of fruit each time for patients and staff –

an apple a day keeps the doctor away! - and have developed a good relationship with both places.

TGV intend to build on this by pruning

the trees and identifying the varieties in

return for picking again next year.

The Events

The conditions were just right for fruit

pollination and ripening in 2013/14,

producing a bumper crop of fruit. Lots

of people attended the juicing events,

with people queuing to use the kit. Many

people have expressed a wish to see the same events next year.

This project accrued 323 volunteer hours and received an SDF grant of £660 from SDF.

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Newmarch Allotments

SDF has supported this allotment society to make its

facility more inclusive by providing raised beds for the

local L’Arche community and a composting

toilet and a shared building. All this will

improve the facilities available for L’Arche

and enable the wider community to come together to share knowledge and expertise.

Watton Allotments

The Watton Allotment Society too wanted to improve access to

the allotments. They chose to lay down a permeable product

made with recycled tyres as the base around their raised beds

thereby ensuring that the beds are fully accessible with a

wheelchair.

In addition seating was erected to enable users to take a breather

and to socialise. Here we see members of Brecon MIND

discussing the morning’s activities.

Ian Rees of the Allotment Group explained, “Brecon and District MIND are now committed

gardeners and have probably produced more this season than in their entire membership. An

unexpected additional benefit of this part of the scheme is the involvement of their Sunday Lunch

Club and Wednesday Cookery Club in the garden. Both clubs have helped in the cultivation and also

used some of the produce in their events/classes.

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As an association we now have three new disabled members, including two wheelchair users,

gardening the taller raised beds . They also have made good use of the new facilities and have

integrated well with the rest of the members.

There is no doubt that the SDF funding was essential to our scheme and that the Improvements

would have been impossible without it. I am sure that having the fund’s support also helped

immensely in securing the remaining finance from National Lottery - Arian i Bawb.

I would also like to you and the other officer for all your help and support throughout the process.

Your suggestions and help throughout the scheme, including or perhaps especially during the

application stage, was indispensable. Your breadth of knowledge and willingness to fully contribute,

instead of simply providing the funds, made the whole process as painless as possible.”

St. John’s Centre

Dysgu a Hwyl are a series of courses being held at the St. John’s centre in the deprived St. John’s

ward area of Brecon. Skills including cookery, money management, basic computer skills, first aid

and parenting for Dads are all being taught to parents to build confidence with a view to those

parents returning to work.

Conservation & Biodiversity

Dry Stone Walling Association of South Wales Courses 2013

During September 2013 the South Wales Dry Stone Walling Association ran courses and tests for

Level 1 and Level 2 certificates on the historic wall boundary on Mynydd Illtyd common.

To pass these qualifications each candidate must strip down and rebuild a straight forward section of

wall totalling 2.5 square metres within a seven hour period.

The standard at Level 1 places emphasis on sound and solid construction rather than on finished

quality. To attain Level 2 however particular emphasis is placed on line and straightness; adequate

hearting; selection of stone for all parts; batter or camber; correct laying of throughbands and

coverstones and secureness of copestones.

Level 1 – There were 3 course participants, with two achieving the grade. Out of five participants at

Level 2 three were successful in meeting the requirement.

The lady pictured here took part and

successfully completed the course.

She was inspired to take the course

after researching links to her Welsh

ancestors. After working on walls in

Wales she has set up her own walling

company in America.

Another course participant built a

demonstration wall at the Royal

Welsh Show in 2014.

A further participant is now in full

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time employment building walls.

Well known judges, Bill Noble and Sion Adcock commented on the impressive standard of walling

being demonstrated by participants.

Cwmdu Walls

SDF has continued to

support Walls of

Llangynidr in their desire

to monitor and rebuild dry

stone walls and to train

dry stone wallers. This

project in Cwmdu is an

exemplar rebuilding 120

metres of dry stone wall

along the Beacons Way. While volunteers have been able to help and to patch the walls further

along the route this particular stretch has been rebuilt by a craftsman.

Calch – Dyfed Archaeological Trust

CALCH is repairing some of the surviving structures at Herbert's Quarry and is developing self-

guided trails around the site to encourage visitors. The project has also been investigating the history

of the lime industry to discover and celebrate its links with local communities. During 2013/14 775

individuals attended CALCH activities and 22 groups and organisations have worked with the

project in some capacity this year.

Events and activities have enabled volunteers to

develop digital media skills, documentary research

and written skills, creative skills, archaeological

excavation, recording and survey skills. The project

has been really successful in raising the awareness of

the quarries among local communities.

A comprehensive package of education resources

continues to be developed for completion in 2014.

Caring for the Black Mountains

This project in the East of the National Park is

focused on building capacity within a group of

volunteers who regularly wish to contribute to

conservation activities in the area. After initial

training and management the volunteers will be

encouraged to become self-reliant and will

undertake routine path maintenance on upland

paths and report erosion and other problems

which they observe using a simple reporting mechanism. The volunteers will be given access to a

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dedicated part of the Authority’s website as well as the equipment necessary to do the path

maintenance and survey work. This is Year 1 of a three year project.

The benefits of this projects are many including:-

Volunteering contributes to the health and wellbeing of those who volunteer

Mountain paths will be improved which will provide a benefit to wider society

The ability of volunteers to do this work in the Black Mountains will allow officers of the

Authority to undertake other complex tasks and increases the overall coverage of the

Authority.

Adfer Ban a Chwm

Adfer Ban a Chwm is a building preservation trust concerned with two issues:-

1. The large number of derelict or redundant vernacular stone buildings in the West of the

Park.

2. The growing need for affordable homes in the area.

The programme development officer, supported by SDF, is working to establish the views, concerns,

attitudes and perceptions of local residents, agencies, local government and organisations in Powys

and Carmarthenshire with respect to both the community aspect of affordable housing and the use

of their own grass roots built heritage to make this happen.

A Focus on Hay

Hay on Wye in the East of the National Park has a mixed socio economic profile. The relatively

prosperous High Street masks pockets of deprivation and the town is largely reliant on tourism.

SDF has supported a variety of projects in the town with the aim of bringing the community

together and fostering resilience throughout the community.

Hay Castle

The monument and grounds are now

safe and more attractive for visitors

and events. It has made a huge

difference, and it is great to see

residents and visitors alike using the

grounds. Here's a photo of the castle

with the new fencing, which is a 6-

foot palisade with hand-hewn

chestnut pales, constructed by Border

Contracts Fencing in

Herefordshire. The photo, taken by

Hay-on-Wye resident Alan

Trow, shows the castle in early

morning.

Part of the project to install the fence included archaeological test digs around the perimeter of the

fence. Volunteers worked with Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust to explore the areas around the

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ancient monument. Eight volunteers contributed to the work force over five days (approximately 60

hours over five days). One of the volunteers provided photography of the digs for their

archives. The project was a huge success, and Hay Castle Trust is grateful to SDF for making it

possible.

SDF support over the last three years has led to the point at which Hay Castle Trust has received

initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the restoration and regeneration of Hay

Castle. Development funding of £528,600 has been awarded to help progress plans for the project

and enable the Trust to apply for a full grant.

The development phase will last for approximately 18 months. During this time, initial concepts will

be thoroughly explored and researched, and detailed plans drawn up for the project's delivery which

would see the Medieval and Jacobean buildings rescued and conserved, as well as creating an

exciting, multi-functional space to engage and inspire through arts, culture, history, education, and a

range of heritage building skills and culinary training.

“SDF funding has been invaluable to Hay Castle Trust in supporting innovative projects that have

important and measurable effects on the community. SDF funding enabled Hay Castle to restore the

town’s iconic Honesty Bookshop, which now generates revenue for the project, and is a

cornerstone of our volunteer programme. SDF has offered invaluable guidance from the early stages

of the Hay Castle regeneration project, and has helped shape the project which has been successful

is securing significant HLF funding. The SDF officers have been instrumental in shaping our project

to include strategic partnerships and community involvement.” Nancy Lavin Albert, Director, Hay

Castle Trust

Hay Tours

This project aims to establish a trained group of volunteers who can meet and greet groups and

parties of visitors (or locals) and offer them informative guided tours of the town and local district.

In addition an administrator will develop the resources and market and organise the tours.

Hay Tours is about bringing the fascinating stories of Hay's history to life. The people, the places and

the landscape from medieval times right up to the present.

A guided tours service for Hay, run by

volunteers will significantly aid the town’s

tourism package and create a welcome

package for visiting groups where none exists

at present. Following initial set up this package

will be self-sustaining, via a per head charge for

everyone who takes part in a tour.

This project provides volunteering

opportunities and one part time job.

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Hay Spring Fair

Hay Spring Fair took place on Saturday 12th

April 2014 in Hay Castle and grounds. Within

the Castle there were talks and debates on

various issues around sustainability, with a

focus on housing, energy and transport at

community levels. At its heart the day was a

family day of entertainment and education

with stalls, activities, workshops, plus food

and drink all with an ethical and sustainable

focus.

The event was organised by Seventeen Events Ltd with a total budget of just under £25k, £9k of

which was provided by the Sustainable Development Fund of Brecon Beacons National Park

Authority.

Attendance was very good on the day, despite the day being overcast, cloudy and cold. It was

estimated that there were in excess of 700 visitors to the Fair through the day.

Other SDF Supported Projects in 2013/14

B Part 2013

A Theatr Brycheiniog programme B Part was a Youth Festival developed in partnership with key

organisations. B Part 2013 was planned to take place on 17 August 2013 on the Watton playing

field, but poor weather conditions forced the event into the theatre itself. Whilst there is a strong

community atmosphere in Brecon there are pockets of deprivation and a higher than average social

need given its rurally isolated location. Community based support is required at a local level as

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many residents cannot afford to travel. 450 people participated in the event, over two thirds of

which were young people under the age of 26.

Good Day Out

This fledgling company, set up by a local businesswoman is focused on providing experiences for

visitors and locals alike. People are able to book a day out, and experience something special within

the Brecon Beacons National Park. The proceeds, after costs, are given to a local charity as

nominated by the experience itself. www.gooddayout.co.uk

Lluest Business Development

SDF has supported the Lluest Horse and Pony Trust to develop its business. Lluest is now working

with local disadvantaged groups and other volunteers and is opening up the farm and woodland to

the local community.

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Sustainable Development Fund Performance Indicators & Output Measures

April 2013 – March 2014

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS April 2013 – March 2014

% of decisions on completed applications notified to

applicant on time – target is 95% within 14 days of

consideration by Panel for applications over £1,000.

Under £1,000 – 28 days from receipt of completed

application.

100% of all applications

(under & over £1k) notified

within 14 days of Panel.

100%

Number of jobs created & safeguarded

(Full or part-time incl. temporary & permanent)

32

Number of volunteering opportunities 1317

OUTPUT MEASURES

On Grants Awarded in 2013/14

RESULTS

April 2013 – March 2014

Amount of money levered in from other sources

Value of in kind & volunteer donations

Public : Private ratio of match funding

Total - £611,899

Ratio 1:2.23 (on grants

awarded) Ratio 1:3.0 (on grants paid)

£189,068

1: 5.42

No. of projects which support two or more of the key principles of sustainable development as set out in the

operational guidelines

100%

21

Appendix 1 – The Well-Being Goals of the Future Generations Bill

The Act sets out 6 clear well-being goals against which all public bodies must set and publish well-being

objectives that are designed to maximise its contribution to the achievement of these well-being goals

1. A prosperous Wales - an innovative and productive, low carbon emission, economy that

makes more efficient and proportionate use of resources; and which generates wealth and

provides employment opportunities for a skilled and well-educated population.

2. A resilient Wales – a bio-diverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems

that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change

3. A healthier Wales – a society in which people’s physical and mental well-being is maximised

and in which choices and behaviours that benefit future health are understood

4. A more equal Wales – a society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what

their background or circumstances.

5. A Wales of cohesive communities – attractive, viable, safe and well-connected

6. A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language – a society that promotes and

protects culture, heritage and the Welsh language, and which encourages people to participate in

the arts, and sports and recreation

Appendix 2 – List of Grants Paid in 2013/14