Have your say on Ogmore Valley community survey

A new survey has been launched in the Ogmore Valley which aims to gather the views and opinions of residents on what sort of community facilities and services are needed in the area.

Produced by the Bridgend Reach Rural Development team and commissioned by Ogmore Valley Community Council, the survey is being made available online and at a variety of local stores.

Councillor Dhanisha Patel, Cabinet Member for Well-Being and Future Generations and Vice-Chair of Ogmore Valley Community Council, said: “Both the county borough and community council are committed towards listening to what residents have to say about local services and facilities so that we can support the development of genuine community-led projects.

“We know that there are opportunities to bring external funding into the area, but we would like to be sure that any new investment is channelled into projects that our communities both want and need.

“The community council has commissioned this survey so that we can identify these priorities, and draw up a strategic plan that will help guide the way forward.”

Sue Evans, Reach Rural Programme Coordinator, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Ogmore Valley Community Council on this exciting initiative.

“Bridgend Reach has already helped to put a local development strategy in place for Bridgend County Borough, and this consultation will help to guide projects at a local level while addressing issues such as the provision of community facilities, local food projects, personal health and well-being, local environment and heritage, education and employment initiatives, neighbourhood projects and more.”

Experienced community regeneration consultants with a good knowledge of the Ogmore Valley area have been commissioned to undertake the survey.

Gareth Kiddie of GKA, the consultant coordinating the survey, said: “We want people to have access to a range of easy options for taking part in the survey.

“Residents can pick up a form locally, take it home to complete and then return it to one of the local collection points, or simply complete it online in English or in Welsh.

“While we are also running a small prize draw as an added incentive, we suspect that local people will very much want to tell us what they think about local services and facilities, and what ideas they may have for new projects to help improve life in the Ogmore Valley area.

“A big thanks must go to all of the stores and outlets that have agreed to support this survey.”

The community survey is set to take place between 11 September and 2 October, and survey forms will be available from the Londis and Premier stores in Nantymoel, Wyndham Store, Nisa Local Ogmore Vale and Ogmore Vale Convenience Store, Lewistown Post Office, and Jo’s General Premier Store in Evanstown.

You can also complete the survey online in English or in Welsh or by using the following links:

English: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/OVCCCommunitySurvey

Welsh: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CwmOgwr

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.  Locally, the funding is administered by Bridgend Reach Rural Development.

For further information about the survey, please email gareth@gka.org.uk