A councillor says he's frustrated over delays in millions of pounds of potentially transformative money being granted to Barry.
Through the Long Term Plan for Towns fund , Barry looked set to gain £20 million - which would have been staggered in £2 million payments over a ten-year period.
The funding would be focused on a number of improvements including regenerating the high street, tackling anti-social behaviour and improving connectivity.
However, the UK Government recently announced that it would suspend the decision-making process on the fund so that ministers can consider their approach after the general election.
Cllr Ian Johnson, a former town mayor who represents Plaid Cymru in the Buttrills ward, said: “It is unforgivable that Labour are delaying the money that was promised to Barry for town centre improvements."
“We can all see that Holton Road and Barry town centre in general need the investment and regeneration which is now on hold."
“While we wait for Labour to get their act together, the Vale Council should get on with tidying up the town centre, working with landlords to get empty shops filled, and with the police to end anti-social behaviour around King Square.”
A partnership made up of various stakeholders which is being managed by Vale Council would have received the funds. So far, the partnership has only had funding to help set up a town board.
Funding for the projects in Barry will be released when the town long term plan is approved by the UK Government.
Deputy council leader Bronwen Brooks said: "The council has been informed by the new UK Government that it will be revising the timeline for the Long Term Plan For Towns fund to allow those Towns that suspended engagement work due to the election to continue with this work."
"The community-led Barry Partnership that was set up earlier in the year to prepare for this funding has worked tirelessly to complete a strategy and vision for Barry. This will be submitted in line with the revised timeline."
“Notwithstanding this and the separate Levelling Up investment of £20 million proposed as part of the Barry Making Waves project, the Council is working with Welsh Government and Cardiff and Vale College to deliver a new multi-million-pound FE college in the Innovation Quarter, close to Holton Rd and Broad Street."
“Separately, the redevelopment of the Broad Street Clinic and adjacent site at the end of Holton Rd is another multi-million-pound project being brough forward jointly with Welsh Government.
“The council and the Welsh Government are continuing the being forward projects through the Transforming Town work which has also funded the develop of a placemaking plan for Barry which is currently under development and the council continues to work with partners to ensure that all funding opportunities to support the regeneration of the town as a whole are accessed."
The Long Term Plan for Towns fund is separate to the Levelling Up funding that Barry was granted.
After having its initial levelling up fund bid rejected in January 2023, Vale Council was successful the following November and secured £19.9 million, which will go towards creating a “vibrant public area” in Barry Docks.
A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: "The council is aware that the new UK Government has suspended its decision-making process on the Long Term Plan For Towns Fund so Minsters can consider their approach."
"The Barry Partnership that was set up earlier in the year to prepare for this funding has worked tirelessly to develop a clear, community-led vision for Barry."
"That plan is ready for submission whenever it is requested and has met all the required deadlines set by government to access the funding to this point."
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