Latest news from Bridgend County Borough 30 September 2021

Drivers urged to avoid panic buying

Drivers are being urged to remain calm and avoid panic buying fuel following assurances from the Government and the Petrol Retailers Association that supplies are not about to run out. Driven by unsubstantiated rumours, mass panic buying of fuel has seen a number of petrol stations across the UK having to close. However, the Government has assured drivers that fuel is not in short supply in the UK, and that plans are in place to help the situation return to normal as quickly as possible.

Could your child be entitled to free school meals?

Parents, guardians and carers of school-age children are being reminded to check eligibility criteria for free school meals. More than 6,000 pupils currently receive free school meals, and applications have increase by 25 per cent in the past year. For a full list of eligibility criteria and to apply for free school meals, visit the council website. Additional information is also available at the Welsh Assembly website.

School car park improvements

Additional safety improvements are being introduced to Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen’s car park and drop-off point. The work, which is funded by an £86,500 investment from Bridgend County Borough Council, will introduce a new one-way system, a series of speed bumps and a new pelican crossing point. The improvements are expected to take seven weeks to complete, and work will take place between 9am-2pm each day in order to avoid peak drop-off and collection times.

Council backs call for coal tip safety funding

Bridgend County Borough Council is backing calls from Welsh Government for long-term funding to be made available that can be used to make coal tips safe across Wales. With 40 per cent of the UK’s coal tips located in Wales and an estimated £600m required for the work, Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans is asking UK Government to allocate funding that will restore the pre-devolution era mining sites, and make them safe for future generations.

Local coal tips inspected

Following the impact of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis in 2020, Bridgend County Borough Council has been working closely alongside the Coal Tip Safety Taskforce as part of their assessment of more than 2,000 former Welsh mining sites. Residents have received assurances that all local mining sites have been fully inspected and categorised. Only minor maintenance issues have been identified, such as removing vegetation from watercourses, and the sites are being monitored closely.

Join the cleaner streets team

Vacancies are available to join the council’s Cleaner Streets team with roles ranging from general cleansing operatives to sweeper drivers. Anyone who is interested in finding out more can visit the Pertemps Agency for further details.                                                                                

Temporary Bridgend town centre road closure

The next stage of a £2.7m highway improvement programme will see Nolton Street in Bridgend town centre temporarily closing for road resurfacing work. The road will close to traffic from its junctions with Court Road and Brackla Street between 8am-5pm on Sunday 3 October, then again on Sunday 10 October. A diversion will be in place and every effort will be made to minimise disruption.

Budget consultation – have your say

This year’s budget consultation is asking people to consider a longer-term vision for the county borough covering everything from council tax levels and parking charges to schools and regeneration projects. It also asks for the views of residents on how they think the council could best support local business, tourism and the economy. The consultation ends on 14 November and you can complete it at the council website. To request a hard copy, email consultation@bridgend.gov.uk, call 01656 643664 or write to Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB.

Using the waters around Porthcawl Marina

A consultation is underway on how the waters around Porthcawl Harbour should be used in future, and whether 1953 byelaws should be updated for modern use. The consultation covers activities such as berthing, navigation, fishing, swimming, diving, parking, use of the lock gates and slipway, shoreline restrictions, waste, safety, security, penalties and watersport activities like water-skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking and more. To take part in the consultation, which ends on 14 November, visit the council website – alternative formats are available upon request.

Wanted – more people to work in social care

The council, Welsh Government and Social Care Wales have launched a new video encouraging more people to work in the social care sector. The WeCare Wales website features jobs across Wales, and you can find out more on Twitter or Facebook. Local roles are available across areas such as home care, reablement, young people’s services and more. Visit the council website or the authority’s Facebook and Twitter pages to find out more

Mobile testing arrangements

Free mobile testing for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 remains available in Bridgend County Borough. Testing is available at the former Revlon site in Maesteg (CF34 9TS) from 9am to 5pm all week, including Saturday and Sunday. This site incorporates both a drive-through testing facility, which must be booked in advance, and a walk-in option where no booking is required. Drive-through testing is also available at Coity and Litchard Community Centre (CF31 1PA) from 9am-5pm, and at the walk-through facility based at the Bowls Hall car park in Angel Street, Bridgend (CF31 4AH) which is available between 8am-8pm – booking for both of these sites is essential. You can arrange appointments by visiting the Welsh Government website or by calling 119 (18001119 for people with hearing or speech difficulties)

Could you be a foster carer?

Foster Wales have launched a new campaign in a bid to increase the number of foster parents needed to help keep children in their local area. To find out more about local authority fostering in Bridgend county borough, visit https://bridgend.fosterwales.gov.wales.

‘Feel good’ sessions start next week

‘Feel Good for Life’ sessions will begin at Ogmore Vale Life Centre on 4 October to support people experiencing dementia, loneliness and depression. Taking place every Monday except during school holidays between 2.15pm-3.15pm, participants are encouraged to stay on and make new friends while undertaking other activities until 4pm, and carers are also welcome to attend. All participants must register before taking part – visit the Halo website for more details