Flintshire Council has been unsuccessful in its bid for Levelling Up funding for a second time. 

The authority’s ruling Labour cabinet supported making £1.1m of the council’s cash available for match-funding potential regeneration projects.

According to a report to the committee, Flintshire Council submitted a bid each for the Alyn and Deeside and Delyn constituencies, and in partnership with Transport for Wales, resubmitted an amended bid for investment in the Wrexham to Bidston railway line.

This attempt has been unsuccessful in both round one and two of bidding.  

READ MORE: Flintshire Council waiting on 'levelling up' funding decision

Flintshire’s Chief Executive, Neal Cockerton, said: “The council submitted three high quality bids into round two of the UK Government Levelling Up Fund programme which would have been invested in strategic regional transport infrastructure and improved facilities and created jobs in the most deprived communities in Flintshire.

“We are therefore disappointed that UK Government chose not to approve any of the proposals submitted. The council will await feedback on its proposals from UK Government to determine whether any can be resubmitted into round three of the programme.”

READ MORE: Flintshire Council progresses Levelling Up bids for ambitious projects

The Alyn and Deeside bid was for three projects:

  • The redevelopment of Connah’s Quay Docks and the construction of a new centre for the Sea Cadets;
  • Improving sports and community facilities at the former Corus Social Club site Shotton.
  • Renovating the Clocktower in Sealand.

The Delyn bid was for a single project to develop new industrial units on the Greenfield Business Park, the demolition of derelict units and the refurbishment of one tenanted unit.

Flintshire’s Leader, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “UK Government also gave Flintshire by far the smallest per capita allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

"The council is concerned that this pattern of under-investment in Flintshire will hinder economic growth, prevent much needed regeneration and reduce support for deprived communities.”

Several Flintshire politicians have reacted with anger at the UK Government's decision to snub the county in the latest round of levelling up funding. Jack Sargeant, Mark Tami and Carolyn Thomas have described the snub as a “complete betrayal of Flintshire residents.” 

Jack Sargeant said: “This is an absolute disgrace and shows the Tories don’t care about Flintshire.”

Mark Tami added: “The Tories promised to Level Up and have instead spent money in the Prime Ministers constituency instead of funding much needed projects here in Flintshire.”

Carolyn Thomas said: “This is the Tories all over, promise big and deliver nothing.”