A MAJOR project designed to help those in some of Wales’ most deprived areas could be due for a radical shake-up from next year.

Yesterday Welsh local government minister Carl Sargeant proposed there be fewer Communities First groups covering larger areas.

But the announcement from the Welsh Government has spawned concerns from the director of one group that it could lose its community focus.

Under the proposals Communities First would put a stronger emphasis on tackling poverty and would be more flexible, ensuring it supports the most disadvantaged individuals and groups rather than having rigid geographic boundaries.

In Gwent there are 45 partnerships that receive Communities First funding.

Between 2001 and 2009 groups in the region received £34 million from the programme.

Helen Murray is the director of one such group – Duffryn Community Link, which runs a number of schemes on the Duffryn estate of Newport.

She said it appeared the plan was presented as a Welsh government policy rather than a programme for communities, and said local knowledge was key to solving local problems.

She said: “The difference is that if decisions are made on high by those people who think they know, they don’t necessarily know what the local solutions should be, which should directed by local people.”

The Welsh Government will be consulting on the plans until September 26.