Latest News from Bridgend County Borough

Be aware: Fake parking warning notice

The council would like to make residents aware of a fake parking notice which has been placed on a vehicle in Bridgend.

There has only been one report to date but whether the fake ticket has been created to scare someone off from using a particular parking space or used as a practical joke, it could still be construed as attempted fraud and could have very serious consequences.

Residents are advised to contact the council if they have any concerns about whether their Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is genuine or not. Often, fake notices contain spelling mistakes and may not include information such as the specific charge for example.

If any members of the public have any similar concerns, they are asked to contact the council’s Senior Fraud Investigator on simon.roberts@bridgend.gov.uk or 01656 643376.

Update on Ynysawdre active travel route works

Work on the new active travel route in Ynysawdre by Bridgend County Borough Council is expected to be completed next month (March 2024).

The first layer of tarmac is now complete and the final layer will follow in the next few weeks. Landscaping will now progress along with the installation of street lighting.

With Welsh Government funding for active travel routes across Wales, the 430m long route is located in Ynysawdre and runs through an area of previously overgrown and wooded land, bounding the north side of Brynmenyn Primary School and the east side of Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen.

Further updates in due course.

Council waiting on final findings of Indoor Market survey

The council are currently awaiting the final findings of a specialist survey which will determine the cost of repairing or replacing the Bridgend Indoor Market Hall roof.

This will allow the council to consider the options available and their affordability. It has already been indicated from the initial inspection that the scale of any works will be significant.

As with all works of this nature, any future decision on the way forward will go through a detailed process which will include engagement with a variety of key stakeholders.

It’s important to note that the council leases and does not own the building and therefore requires full landlord’s consent to undertake any work.

Nest Box Week is just around the corner

Nest Box Week is taking place next week and you can pick up a free bat, bug or bird box along with some wildflower seeds to mark the occasion.

Funded by Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature scheme, boxes will be available at Bedford Park on 16 February from 10.30 am.

This is an opportunity to create a welcoming home for local wildlife in your garden.

Please visit the council’s website to read more about nature and the environment.

Support on hand for New Look (Maesteg) staff

The council are supporting staff at the Maesteg branch of New Look following news that the store is planning to close this month once the current lease on its Talbot Street premises comes to an end.

Alongside representatives from Careers Wales and the Job Centre, the council’s Employability Team has met with staff to offer help and advice about finding alternative work or training to acquire new skills.

Officers have also been liaising with New Look to try and locate alternative premises that will enable them to retain a presence within Maesteg town centre, and have shared details about property improvement grants and other incentives that may encourage them to stay.

Visit the council’s website to read more about the support available through Employability Bridgend.

Registrations now open for garden waste collection service

Residents can now register for the council’s  2024 garden waste collection service.

Collections will take place every two weeks between Monday 18 March  and Friday 15 November 2024, and will cost £50 per household, or £45 for pensioners.

What can be recycled?

• Grass
• Hedge cuttings
• Leaves
• Flowers
• Plants

Soil, logs or invasive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed are unable to be collected.

Each household that registers will receive two garden sacks for collecting and storing their garden waste ready for their collection day.

Please visit the council’s website to register for garden waste collections.

School pupils take part in anti-littering workshops

Pupils at Coety and Litchard Primary schools recently took part in a series of anti-littering workshops as part of the Council’s ‘Love-It, Don’t Trash It’ campaign.

To promote the campaign, which consisted of interactive workshops delivered to pupils by ADA Recycling, and litter-picks and science-based workshops facilitated by Naturequest, pupils were asked to design a poster that encourages residents to bin their waste.

Wining pupils Tilly Williams, aged 8, from Coety Primary, and Millie Watkins, aged 11, from Litchard Primary School, will see their anti-littering designs displayed as stickers on litter bins throughout the areas.

The ‘Love It, Don’t Trash It!’ campaign has previously taken place in Maesteg, Porthcawl, Brackla, the Ogmore Valley, the Garw Valley and Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribbwr.

The campaign is a joint project run by Bridgend County Borough Council with funding from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Waste Grant.