FUNDING of £25,210 looks set to be released to improve Caldicot's town centre.

The funds will go towards three town centre improvement projects in Caldicot to be delivered by the Caldicot Town Team.

The money will be used by the town team to improve the vitality and vibrancy of the town, encouraging more people to use it.

The money will be taken from Section 106 monies received from the building of the new Asda in Caldicot.

If approved by Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) cabinet today (6th May) £22,000 will be spent on commissioning a report to look into planning policy for the town and a direction for Caldicot's retailers and property owners.

£1,410 has been requested to improve Caldicot market. It is hoped this will increase footfall, local business investment and provide a sustainable future for the markets.

This money will also be used to pilot an arts and crafts market, gardening market and international food market for three months ending in June this year. Money will also be used for advertising and promoting the improved market.

A business case developed by Caldicot Town Team found that after discussions with residents, businesses and market traders, the current market needs improving.

After several engagement events and meetings, the public said there was a lack of variety, lack of good quality products and problems with the appearance of the stalls.

£1,800 of the money will cover a year's running costs for 10 businesses in installing superfast broadband equipment to boost business interest and digital marketing opportunities. The final aim is to provide free, public, wifi connectivity in Caldicot town centre.

The town team has worked with Spectrum Internet (ISP) to look into delivering superfast broadband to Caldicot through the Government's Super-fast Connected Cities scheme.

12 businesses in total requested more information about the broadband and were interested in signing up for the scheme.

Since the meeting last November, the town team has worked with Spectrum, businesses and landlords to provide a suitable way to install the infrastructure in a cost effective way, and to minimise disruption to businesses and residents.

In a report from the town team to MCC, it says: "We have managed to cover the entire town centre area, from Jubilee Way car park to Asda car park and from The Cross to Washbournes Garage with seamless coverage, meaning users will be connected anywhere in the town centre, which reduces the need for logins to different WiFi hotspots within the town.

"The WiFi that the general public would connect to would be a permanent system in the town centre, which would be operational after the initial funding had expired."

Cabinet will meet later today to discuss the report.