The Chief Executive presented a report, the purpose of which, was to inform Members of the proposed programme of presentations to be delivered to future meetings of Council in 2021/22.  

He reminded Members that Council will be accustomed to receiving periodically in the past, presentations from its key stakeholders.

At the meeting of Council today, Members will receive a presentation from the Chief Executive of Valleys to Coast (V2C).

The following proposed presentations are due to be delivered to future meetings of Council, during 2021/22:-

           Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable of South     Wales Police – 17 November 2021

           Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board – 15 December 2021

           Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) – 23 February 2022

            South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority – 9 March 2022

He advised that external Invitee sessions may be subject to some change, based upon their availability on the dates so listed above.

County Borough Quarterly Debates will be considered as part of agenda business for the Council meetings dated 20 October 2021 and 19 January 2022, the Chief Executive concluded.

The Mayor then asked Jo Oak, Chief Executive of V2c to deliver a presentation together with a few short video’s regarding progress on the work of V2c, particularly during the period of Covid-19.

The presentation covered the theme of ‘Working together for a better Bridgend – Strengthening Relationships to benefit our Local Communities and Wales.’

She explained that as part of V2c’s Turnaround Programme, its main priorities were:-

• Repairs
• Empty Homes
• Adaptations
• Complaints, and
• Compliance

The submission gave some statistical information on progress in the above areas, together with other relevant associated data.

The Chief Executive of V2c explained also that the organisation worked closely with developers of new build, in order to give something back to communities in the areas where new residential developments were being constructed.

V2c had consulted with colleagues and stakeholders regarding the ways and manner by which partnership working needed to be changed for the better, giving regard to key issues such as:

1.    Flexible Working

2.    Working Locations and Environments

3.    Colleague wellbeing, and more

V2c were now in the process of reviewing feedback in relation to these initiatives, the Chief Executive, V2c added.

She then referred to V2c’s “New Homes” programme for 202102022, with plans for new Eco friendly developments, taking into consideration BCBC’s Decarbonisation Agenda. These type of developments were being planned for construction at Ffordd Yr Eglwys North Cornelly, Maesteg Road Tondu, Ewenny Road Bridgend, Woodland Avenue Porthcawl, Brocastle Avenue Waterton, and Parc Derwen, Coity.

V2c Officers then covered the Social Housing Grant (SHG) Programme Delivery Plan (PDP) 2021, with a Grant requirement that totalled £32,478,981. In relation to this, Programme Development Plan Submissions had been considered for:-

Heol y Groes, Pencoed - 24 Homes

Station Rd, Porthcawl - 20 Homes

Oxford Court Phase 1, Ogmore Vale - 6 Homes

Blaen Llynfi Primary School site, Caerau - 23 Homes

Glanyrafon Care Home, Ynysawdre - 35 Homes (acquisition only)

DCWW Site, Cefn Cribbwr - 16 Homes (acquisition only)

15nr Off the Shelf Acquisitions - 15 Homes

Sunnyside House, Bridgend - 31 Homes

Nolton Arcade, Bridgend - 43 Homes

Sax, Bridgend – 36 Homes

A representative of V2c also highlighted the organisations new land swop with BCBC, as part of the Marlas School Project.

The Chief Executive V2c following this, gave a resume of V2c’s Annual Review Report, which gave details of V2c’s Financial Statements and Strategic Review.

To conclude the Chief Executive, V2c’s current focus was in respect of:

• £15.8m Social Housing Grant for 100 homes to be built on average each year in Bridgend for the foreseeable future
• £9.1m to spend on planned repairs and improvements

She explained that partnership working, such as with Keep Wales Tidy and for the provision of tree planting schemes at housing developments, was key for the Housing Association going forward. As was the continued provision of Foodbanks, during the course of the pandemic.

A Member asked what the current status was in relation to energy efficiency being provided at homes, particularly in Social Housing where often occupiers residing there were on low income.

A representative of V2c confirmed that a programme had been planned to improve energy efficiency at V2c homes and they were part of a collaborative group that were being supported by grant funding from Welsh Government for this purpose and in a cost effective way for the benefit of the property occupiers. 

A Member asked about the 16 Social Rented flats and 7 properties that were going to be constructed at Parc Derwen. She asked when these were going to be ready for occupation and also if the flats would be allocated as per the BCBC’s housing waiting list.

A representative from V2c confirmed that all these dwellings would be ready for occupation by end of year and the flats would be let on the same basis as the BCBC waiting list.

A Member pointed out that many of the V2c inhabited properties on development sites were blighted by residents who were causing anti-social behaviour, that was causing a nuisance and sometimes creating conflict with other residents that occupied properties in adjoining estates and developments. This had on occasions resulted in Police investigation and intervention. He felt that more support from V2c should be given in cases such as this.

A representative of V2c advised that lockdown as a result of Covid-19 had exacerbated problems such as the above, as people had been confined in their properties and the pandemic had also caused a rollback of initially of services and support. However, the Association took issues of this very serious and worked with the likes of BCBC, the Police and Offender Management to try and reduce these cases. Officers from V2c also engaged with its residents, in order to encourage them to report any such problems. If any such complaints continued after tenants had been warned about their anti-social behaviour, then legal proceedings were pursued. Unfortunately, the health and wellbeing of people had suffered since the inception of Covid-19, which had resulted in the health of people who suffered from the likes of alcohol or substance misuse and mental health problems deteriorating. In cases such as this though, such residents where signposted in order to get professional support for these problems. She urged any Member to take up with V2c any complaints they received in regards to these matters.

Debate on this item concluded by Members urging V2c to respond quicker to complaints of all different types of nature when they were made and to continue to improve ways of Customer engagement, including in communities regarded as ‘lonely’, ie Ynysawdre and harder to reach older tenants.  

RESOLVED:                 (1)       That Council noted that a programme of presentations will be delivered by the Council’s partners and Council’s S151 Officer, as referred to in paragraph 4.2 of the report during 2021/22.

                                      (2)       Further noted the presentation given today by the Chief Executive and team members from V2c.