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Plans to bring £20 million of regeneration funding to communities in the north of the county borough have been approved by the UK Government.

Caerphilly County Borough Council will receive money from the UK Government through its Pride in Place fund, which senior councillors agreed last December would be spent in Aberbargoed, Bargoed, and New Tredegar.

These proposals have now been backed by the government, which will give a “neighbourhood board” of local representatives powers to invest in those communities over the next ten years, starting from April.

According to a council report, the board could include representatives such as “residents, local businesses, grassroots campaigners, workplace representatives, faith, the local MP, and community leaders – plus those with a deep connection to their area”.

The areas were chosen based on national deprivation measures that cover issues such as income, employment, health, and education.

Projects funded through the scheme could include boosting high streets and town centres, providing housing, jobs, or new transport links, improving safety and security, and more.

Following confirmation from the government on Thursday February 5, council leader Jamie Pritchard said: “This is very positive news for the communities of Bargoed, Aberbargoed, and New Tredegar and I’m sure residents in these areas will warmly welcome this exciting announcement.

“The council selected these three communities in the upper Rhymney Valley as we want to deliver positive change across all parts of our county borough and build on the success of investment in other areas.”

Cllr Pritchard, who became council leader in November, added: “We will now focus on progressing the scheme to maximise the funding available, whilst ensuring that local people have a clear voice in this process. Watch this space for further updates.”

Jo Stevens, the secretary of state for Wales, said the “significant investment” shows the government is “directly backing our communities”.

She continued: “People living in Caerphilly are in control of this funding and now have the support to make it an even better place to live and work.

“The UK Government is focused on delivering jobs, prosperity and growth and the Pride in Place programme is a key part of us doing that.

“Working in partnership with Welsh Government we’re investing directly in Welsh communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods.”

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service