Pre-election period set to begin
A notice of election will be issued on Monday 21 March advising that local government elections will take place on Thursday 5 May 2022. In line with national guidance, council publicity and announcements will be limited while the formal pre-election period is in effect between these two dates, and this will be the last news round-up issued before the period begins. Normal services will resume after Friday 6 May.
New classrooms for Cefn Cribwr Primary
New infant observation classrooms, safe intervention spaces and a soft play area for children with additional learning needs have been officially opened at Cefn Cribwr Primary School. With more than £550,000 invested in the project, it has delivered additional modern teaching space that is safe and fully equipped while remaining flexible to meet the individual needs of children. Funded by Welsh Government, Bridgend County Borough Council, the local community and the school itself, the new classrooms were designed by the council’s in-house project board and design teams and built by contractors Stafford Construction.
Creating jobs and boosting local business
Bridgend County Borough Council has developed a new economic strategy for creating new jobs and helping the local economy to prosper. It sets out a long-term strategic vision and includes a £1.2m innovation fund to support the development of new business opportunities, business adaptations and enabling innovation and resilience in the local economy. You can find out more at www.bridgend.gov.uk
Grants for disabled facilities
A means test will no longer be required for small or medium applications to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme, but will still apply to larger applications. A new framework is being produced to cover work such as the installation of ramps, low-level showers and bathrooms, stairlifts, full extensions and more. The grant is currently available to homeowners, tenants in the private sector and tenants of Valleys to Coast Housing.
Hydrogen energy project moves closer
A project that could see Bridgend County Borough become the focal point of a major new UK green energy initiative has moved a step closer following a visit by Japanese renewable energy specialists, Marubeni Europower. The company has selected Bridgend County Borough as its preferred UK location for a green hydrogen demonstrator project, and is liaising with the authority over plans that could include generating clean fuel for fleet vehicles ranging from council gritters to recycling and refuse collection lorries. Under the proposals, the project could extend to blue light services such as South Wales Police and their rapid response vehicles, and also trial the use of hydrogen fuel to heat buildings and facilities in the Ynysawdre area such as schools, Extra Care residential homes and the local swimming pool.
Discover Bridgend Indoor Market
Shoppers are being encouraged to discover what Bridgend Indoor Market has to offer. As well as stalls selling goods ranging from collectable toys and mobile phone repairs to cake making and specialist knitting supplies, the market now features a new square with seating which is suitable for hosting speciality events, baby-changing facilities and wheelchair-accessible public toilets. It also features a fresh new look complete with distinctive branding and signage, illustrative wall panels and a prominent new home for the historic 1837 market bell. During the pandemic the council has also provided traders with additional support, including a new rent system with concessionary rates, flexible lease terms, significant rent reductions during the pandemic, ‘shop local’ publicity packages and more.
New accessible housing for Wildmill
Two new accessible bungalows have been constructed in Wildmill by Linc Cymru to help prevent disabled people from becoming homeless. Working in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council and Welsh Government, five derelict houses were converted into two-bedroom units featuring solar panels and energy storage batteries to deliver new energy efficient homes. The social housing project will be managed in conjunction with The Wallich.
Latest community asset transfer
Maesteg Park FC has formally taken over the self-management of the football pitch at Tudor Park Playing Fields with a 35-year lease for the fields under the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme. The council has provided £22,205 for drainage and pitch improvements as well as £10,000 for pitch maintenance equipment.
Vaccination survey
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board want people to give views on local flu and Covid-19 vaccination programmes. The survey is open to anyone aged 16 and over, and the health board are particularly interested in hearing from parents and carers of children aged between 2-3 as well as adults with underlying health conditions aged 16-64. The survey is available in both English and Welsh.
One week left for nursery applications
The deadline for submitting an application for full-time nursery in September 2022 expires at 4pm on Friday 25 March, with notifications due by 16 May. People interested in part-time nursery places in January or April 2023 have until 4pm on Friday 27 August to apply, and will be notified by 31 October. To apply sign up for the free My Account service at the council’s website.
Still time to give blood
Donor appointments are still available with the Welsh Blood Service at the Heronston Hotel on 21 and 30 March. To take part, simply book online, but please note that anyone who has recently received a Covid-19 vaccination must wait seven days before donating blood.
Careers in catering
The Catering Services team is urgently looking for cooks, senior dining room assistants, assistant cooks, general kitchen assistants and more to help prepare and serve meals for children at local schools. With benefits ranging from flexible term-time working hours to a staff pension scheme, the Catering Services team offers competitive rates of pay such as £9.50 an hour for a general kitchen assistant. Find out more by visiting the jobs pages at www.bridgend.gov.uk.
Consider a career in social care
Residents in Bridgend County Borough are being encouraged to ‘consider a career in social care’ as part of the council’s recruitment drive. A mix of videos, social media posts and graphics will introduce potential candidates to staff already working in the sector and their stories of building careers for life in social care. To find out more and to view current vacancies, visit the local authority’s website.
If you need to contact the council, please use the online My Account and Oggie webchat facilities, email talktous@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643643.