Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council has said it will not raise its portion of the council tax paid by residents who live in its area.

While the Labour-controlled community council has invested heavily in community projects and restoration work at Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, it has decided to start building up reserves for the future.

The council has said it is seeking better value for residents by looking for outside funding for projects.

A good recent example was a community garden project funded by Wilkinson’s Ltd via Keep Wales Tidy.

This generated over £45,000 in funding for this community project.

BTM Council has several events lined up for this year including a VE Day celebration on May 8 and in September it will celebrate the return of some of its preserved blue and white buses to visit the area. Both events will be open to the public.