Local Bodies and Community Projects

The council appoints representatives onto school governing bodies and the management committees of numerous local organisations and ad hoc bodies, such as the Barry Development Partnership, Pride in Barry, Barry Youth Council and the Vale Community Safety Partnership. It also takes an interest in all voluntary and not-for-profit organisations serving the community, and annually grant aids up to 30 such organisations serving the Barry area. It is keenly interested in Barry’s future progress and development, and assisted in the establishment of the Barry Development Partnership, largely for this purpose.

It supported the creation of Welsh medium playgroups in Barry, and has previously fought many campaigns, with the assistance of former MP Sir Raymond Gower and the current MP, Mr John Smith, including the fight to save jobs in the town some years ago. The Council recently made representations to retain accident and emergency facilities at Barry Hospital. It was responsible for the inauguration of Barry Youth Council, and set aside funding for sponsoring and rewarding sporting and academic excellence locally. It assisted in setting up the Grace Williams Memorial Fund for the most promising young musician of the year.

The Council gives substantial grants towards worthwhile local projects. It has financed commemorative plaques commemorating local people of distinction.

The council is responsible for arranging a number of civic occasions in Barry, namely the RAF St Athan, Freedom of Entry Ceremony, Armistice Day Parades and an annual candlelit carol service.