In early 2025, Miller Research were commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation of Conwy County Borough Council’s suite of community development initiatives funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The evaluation focused on three interrelated programmes: the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Project, Community Buildings Energy Audits, and the Community Council Training Programme. The CLLD Project was designed to empower local community groups by offering small-scale funding and support for projects that drive grassroots innovation. In parallel, the Energy Audits provided targeted funding to assess community building efficiency and propose improvements to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the Training Programme aimed to enhance the capabilities of town and community councillors in governance and service delivery.
Miller Research was tasked with assessing the outcomes of these initiatives, focusing particularly on community empowerment, sustainability, service delivery and engagement, as well as identifying areas of success and lessons learned. The evaluation also aimed to document best practice through a series of case studies and offer high-level recommendations to inform future UKSPF or similarly funded activity in the region.
A mixed-methods approach was employed to gather insights from a range of stakeholders. The evaluation process included a thorough review of project documentation and data, a scoping workshop with key representatives from Conwy County Borough Council, and in-depth qualitative interviews with beneficiaries of the CLLD Project. This methodology ensured that both quantitative metrics and nuanced personal experiences were captured, laying the foundation for informed recommendations. The findings revealed that the CLLD Project successfully empowered local groups and generated strong demand.
The evaluation concludes with several key recommendations to optimise future community initiatives. These include rescheduling training sessions to avoid peak holiday periods, streamlining administrative burdens (for instance, by reassessing requirements such as the need for three quotes), and ensuring that new projects are designed to complement rather than duplicate existing efforts. As Conwy County Borough Council refines its approach to community-led development, these recommendations offer a valuable blueprint for maximising impact across diverse community contexts.