Agenda

Council - Wednesday, 5th February, 2025 16:00

Venue: Hybrid in the Council Chamber Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

To receive apologies for absence from Members.

 

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest from Members/Officers in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008.

3.

Approval of Minutes pdf icon PDF 273 KB

To receive for approval the minutes of 15/01/2025

 

4.

To receive announcements from:

(i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Chief Executive

 

 

5.

To receive announcements by the Leader

6.

Adoption of the Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy pdf icon PDF 228 KB

7.

Capital Programme Quarter 3 Update 2024-25 pdf icon PDF 162 KB

Additional documents:

8.

To receive the following Question from:

Councillor Heidi Bennett to the Cabinet Member – Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing

 

There are a number of derelict and degrading buildings across the County, but this question focuses on the heart of Bridgend Town Centre where a number of buildings have been derelict eyesores for years, even decades.

 

I appreciate BCBC does not own any of the derelict buildings, and may even be signposting owners to investment/grant opportunities. I also acknowledge that some owners/developers have been bringing some of their buildings back into use, and appreciate we have all benefitted from some spectacular high quality design and builds in pockets throughout the town, particularly those that have transformed the night time economy.

 

However, there remain a number of notable buildings where there doesn’t seem to have been much, if any, activity or progress made by owners in bringing them back into use.

 

Could the relevant Cabinet Member advise

 

• What is BCBC doing to push progress on the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan in relation to upgrading, utilising or replacing these buildings and improving our town centre?

 

9.

Notice of Motion Proposed by Councillor Heidi Bennett

Motion to the Bridgend County Borough Council on the Closure of 115 Crown Post Offices and the Risk of 1,000 Job Losses

 

Motion:

 

This Council notes:

 

The recent announcement by Post Office Ltd / the UK Government to close 115 Crown Post Offices across the country, which puts at risk the jobs of approximately 1,000 workers in the postal sector.

 

The vital role that Crown Post Offices play in many communities, particularly in rural and deprived urban areas, where they provide essential services such as postal services, banking, bill payments, and access to government services.

 

The significant and adverse social and economic impact these closures will have, not only on the workers facing redundancy and loss of jobs, but also on the communities that rely on the public services provided by these Crown Post Offices and the erosion of those services in communities already facing challenges.

 

The longstanding history of Crown Post Offices as a key part of the national infrastructure, providing high-quality, accessible services to the public and employing skilled workers.

 

This Council believes:

 

That the closure of these Crown Post Offices is an unwarranted attack on public services, jobs, and the communities that depend on them.

 

That the loss of 1,000 jobs in the postal sector will have a significant impact on families, communities, and local economies, and will contribute to rising unemployment and social inequality in already disadvantaged areas.

 

That the government and postal management have failed to adequately invest in the Crown Post Office network and have not provided sufficient justification for the proposed closures, which seem to be driven by profit motives rather than the public good.

 

That these closures form part of a wider, worrying trend towards the privatisation and outsourcing of essential public services, which undermines the principle of public accountability and reduces the quality of, and potentially the range of services provided to the public.

 

Resolves:

 

To express this Council’s strong opposition to the proposed closure of 115 Crown Post Offices and to formally call on Post Office Ltd / the UK Government to halt the closure programme immediately.

 

To support the workers affected by the potential loss of 1,000 jobs, including offering solidarity to trade unions and local organisations campaigning to save the Crown Post Offices.

 

To work with other local authorities, unions, and community groups to raise awareness of the negative impact these closures will have and to mobilise public opposition to the proposals.

 

To call on the UK Government and [Post Office Ltd] to ensure that any future plans for Crown Post Offices are properly consulted on and that the interests of both workers and the communities they serve are fully considered.

 

To invite representatives from [Post Office Ltd] to meet with the Council to discuss these closures and explore alternative solutions that would secure the future of the Crown Post Office network, protect jobs, and continue to provide essential services to the public.

 

Further resolves:

 

To issue a formal letter of protest to Post Office Ltd and the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

10.

Urgent Items

To consider any item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.