The Leader announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the recent remembrance events had to be marked in very different ways and that together with the Mayor and Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Young, he had attended Bridgend Railway Station on the morning of Armistice Day to place commemorative poppy wreaths on a special service organised by Great Western Railway, which were then transported to London where they formed part of a huge public display.  He stated that with many of the traditional local events organised by town and community councils either not taking place or being invite-only, residents were encouraged instead to pay their respects by standing upon their doorsteps at 11am on Sunday 8 November to mark the two-minute silence from home.

The Leader also announced that the UK Government Covid Vaccine Taskforce has been leading work on funding and procuring vaccines for the UK, and the Wales Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery Programme Board is undertaking comprehensive preparatory work to ensure that we have suitable deployment arrangements in place ready for this eventuality.  He informed Council that the Chief Medical Officer has written to all Health Boards and Trusts to ask them to work with key partners in support of local delivery plans, and this Council is of course supporting these efforts.  Further national direction on how the vaccination programme will be carried out is awaited and he will keep Members informed of latest developments on this vital work.  He requested that residents not to let their guard down, and to think twice about whether their actions could be putting them or other people at risk, whether it is how children are dropped off at school, who residents come into contact with or behave when visiting a shop or a pub, small decisions could have a big impact.  He informed Members that in the weeks and months to come, Welsh Government will be driving forward a new programme of messages to encourage people to change their long-term attitudes towards the coronavirus and how it spreads.  He stated that the Council will be supporting this, and he hoped Members will play their part in encouraging constituents to do likewise.

He informed Council that there is currently a drive-through mobile testing facility located in the Bowls Hall car park of Bridgend Life Centre, and the Council is working with Cwm Taf and Public Health Wales on establishing a longer-term testing site for the county borough as quickly as possible.  He hoped to bring more details very soon, but in the meantime, the Council website continues to offer a one-stop-shop of resources and updates, and officers can advise you on any further questions you may have or receive.

The Leader also announced that Members may have seen the recent announcement from Welsh Government on its new Framework for Regional Investment In Wales.  Produced in partnership with local authorities, the private and third sectors, and research and academia bodies, the new framework has the backing of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.  Under the banner of ‘Made In Wales’, it focuses on four broad investment priorities. These are to provide more productive and competitive businesses, to reduce factors which lead to economic inequality, support the transition to a zero-carbon economy, and to support the development of healthier, fairer, more sustainable communities.  The new programme of regional investment is expected to start early next year, and he will inform Members of further details.