RESIDENTS in deprived areas of Newport awarded Communities First funding claim they are being excluded from deciding where the money should go.

A community group in Pill is particularly bitter about its lack of involvement and has taken its grievance to the National Assembly, which awarded the funding.

And in Duffryn, Councillor Garry Brown, who claims to be excluded from Communities First in his area, said he had written to council leader Sir Harry Jones about the problem.

The areas are among 83 communities eligible for a share of £88 million in grant aid over the next three years.

The secretary of Pill's Communities First steering group, Peter Landers, said the contribution of Pride in Pill was "most welcome" even if members are not on the committee.

Gwenda Bullock, chairwoman of Pride In Pill, told the Argus: "There is no-one representing the community organisations in Pill.

"This money is coming to the community and we know what's needed in the area, so we should have the right to say."

Glyn Picton, also of Pride In Pill, added: "I'm not allowed to take part in any of it. I haven't been consulted or asked my views.

"It excludes those of us who have bought houses here and put up with the drug addicts."

Mr Landers said the committee was formed from those attending the first meetings.

He said: "I explained that Mr Picton was not part of that committee and was not eligible to attend a particular meeting.

"At a meeting with Dawn Cryer, who I understand to be part of the Pride in Pill group, I told her that we expected Pride in Pill to be fully involved in the Communities First process.

"It is only now that we are setting up the Local Partnership Board. As residents and part of the community of interests in Pill, their contribution is most welcome and important."

William Graham, AM for South-East Wales, has taken up the cause on behalf of Pride in Pill and made representations to Edwina Hart, Assembly minister for finance, local government and communities.

He said: "I think what happened was the original meetings were not widely publicised and various active community groups were unaware of how to access these funds.

"They should advertise again and reconstitute the committee, which should be as broadly based as possible, with as many people as possible.

"This is a large sum of money and has got to be properly used."

* In the picture: Pride in Pill chairwoman Gwenda Bullock and resident Glyn Picton.