(i) Mayor (or person presiding)
(ii) Cabinet Members
(iii) Chief Executive
(iv) Monitoring Officer
Minutes:
MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor announced that he was sure that all Members would like to join him in sending best wishes to Councillor Clive James, who has been through a very tough time recently with his health, and that our thoughts were with him and Councillor Pauline James.
He pointed out that one of the events that Councillor James enjoyed the most last year was the Mayor’s Citizenship Awards, and he was pleased to say that nominations are now open for this year’s event which will be held in March 2015. Further details could be found in the latest Bridgemembers newsletter which Members should have all received today, so he asked them to please think about any charity champions, outstanding volunteers or remarkable citizens who Members may like to put forward for an award.
The Mayor stated that the talent of local school children never failed to impress him, and he was delighted to attend the launch of a new anti-bullying calendar at Heronsbridge School recently. The calendar featured drawings that had been created by pupils from across the County Borough, and was an excellent way of helping to spread the message among children that we need to stamp out bullying.
The Mayor stated that the Christmas season was fast approaching, and that he was enjoying the pleasure of attending several festive events. The Nearly Christmas Dinner was an excellent charity event hosted by First Minister Carwyn Jones at the Heronston Hotel last week, and he was looking forward to his charity Carol Service at St Mary’s Nolton Church in Bridgend on Wednesday, 17 December. No tickets are required for the service, which will start at 7.00pm and he hoped other Members and Officers could attend this.
The Mayor finally announced that if Members had also not made any plans for this Saturday afternoon, then they were welcome to join him in Adare Street in Bridgend town centre for the annual Elf-steddfod event. Little helpers of all ages were invited to be there at 1.00pm for another attempt at the world record for gathering the most elves in one place. Each participant will be given an elf hat, but are asked to please wear a green or red jumper if possible.
Finally, the Mayor thanked Members for their support and wished them all a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
CABINET MEMBERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Cabinet Member - Communities
In the absence of the Cabinet Member – Communities the Cabinet Member – Strategic Change presented his announcements.
He confirmed that the Cabinet Member - Communities welcomed the Minister of Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant, to Maesteg on 21 November, to officially launch the Bridgend Nature Keepers Project. This was an innovative project attracting new visitors to the County Borough that uses poetry, oak sculpture and digital technology to encourage people to experience the natural environment in Bridgend County Borough. The seven foot tall oak Keepers are the guardians of the story of the land. Inspired by, and building on the successful four Keepers installed at Bryngarw Country Park, an additional ten Keepers have been installed in green spaces across the County for visitors to discover. The project was 100% grant funded with resources from Capital Region Tourism and Natural Resources Wales. To find out more Members could view the video on the Bridgendbites website or download the ‘Dare to Discover’ app. both available on both Apple and Android platforms.
The Cabinet Member - Communities stated that on Tuesday the 25 November, an event was held at the Civic Offices not only to mark the annual White Ribbon Campaign but to celebrate the Council’s success in achieving ‘White Ribbon Town Status’ accreditation.
The White Ribbon Campaign is unique, in that it is led by men who are working to end violence against women. An action plan was submitted to White Ribbon which was
subsequently approved in September 2014 and Councillor Hailey Townsend collected the White Ribbon Corporate Supporter status certificate for Bridgend County Borough Council presented by Carl Sargent at The Sennedd.
South Wales Fire and rescue Service kindly offered to pay the bi annual fee for 2014-2016 and South Wales Police have also kindly agreed to fund the same for 2016-2018. Four ambassadors have been appointed, Councillor David White; Rhys Webb (Ospreys and Wales International Rugby player); Chief Fire Officer Hugh Jakeway and Lee Jukes (local radio personality).
Key partners in the campaign against domestic abuse received ‘Supporter Status’ in recognition of their partnership work with Bridgend County Borough Council. These were:-
· Bridgend Women’s Aid
· Victim Support
· HafanCymru
· South Wales Police Service
· South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
· Youth Offender Service
· ABMU Bridgend Locality Health
· Probation Service
· Community Rehabilitation Company
(2) Cabinet Member - Children and Young People
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People congratulated Litchard Primary School on being one of the three best practice case studies highlighted by Estyn in a thematic report on numeracy in key stage 2 and 3. The case study has been published on the inspectorate’s website. Estyn’s recognition resulted in BBC Wales evening news programme.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People pointed out that another Bridgend school had been in the limelight of television, ITV Wales News were at Heronsbridge as the school was looking for public support to gain lottery funding for bike recycling scheme. The Heronsbridge Re-Cycles project, which sees run-down donated bikes restored and transformed by its older pupils, had been shortlisted for the ITV People’s Millions Lottery Fund. The school was unsuccessful but the project continues to look for ways to secure funding to make it sustainable, it is a very exciting project that can offer vital employment skills and opportunities for young people with special educational needs that often struggle to gain work once they leave school.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People also congratulated Ysgol Bryn Castell pupil, Reggie Baldock, for winning the poem writing competition organised by the Central South Consortium. It was really pleasing that out of all the special schools in Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil that a ‘Bridgend boy’ had written the best poem in the category. All winners of the competition were invited to Cardiff City stadium to receive their award from the Minister but Reggie was too shy so we will be celebrating his win in a different way.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People stated that schools are continuing to volunteer to sign up to the new cashless school catering system. Online payments are
much more convenient for parents and carers, and another benefit is that it significantly reduces the amount of administration work required in schools as they will not need to handle as much cash and cheques. It went live in Maes yr Haul last month and Newton last week with Abercerdin, Tondu and Coety Primary starting in the New Year.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People also congratulated Oldcastle Primary School for its accreditation as the 1st Every Child Counts in school in Wales. An
intervention for children who struggle with mathematics. Funding was provided via the PDG and through a Communities First Grant including one to one specialised teaching of four lowest achieving pupils in Year 2.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People informed Members that following the flood of the Early Years Unit, the fires at Tremains Primary and Cwm Garw, a lightening bold hit Llangynwyd School last week. Luckily no one was hurt or injured. Whilst there was some damage to the roof, due to the prompt action of staff, council officers and the fire service the school had been kept open.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People informed Members that Brackla Primary School had ridden to the top of the league of schools that were promoting active and sustainable travel among pupils. They had become the first primary school in the County Borough to achieve the Silver Mark Award from Sustrans.
He advised that Brackla pupils regularly travel to school on two wheels, and enjoy taking part in the weekly ‘Bike It’ club sessions and Wheelie Wednesdays, where anyone who cycles or scoots to school is entered into a raffle to stand a chance of winning a prize. Skills sessions have also been held so that the pupils can pick up riding tips, safety advice and learn about bike and scooter maintenance.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People added that poviding they can do so safely, travelling to school by bike, scooter or on foot is a great way for pupils to keep fit, helps the environment and also saves on petrol cost for parents. Making active travel part of a child’s routine from a young age can help instil positive habits for the rest of their lives, and the pupils and teachers at Brackla Primary School deserve credit for setting an excellent example.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People confirmed that as Bryntirion School Governors would know, the former youth wing at Bryntirion Comprehensive which had become very tired and was underused, has been transformed into a bright new Sixth Form Study Centre which was also a multiple use. It was officially opened by the First Minister last month.
(3) Cabinet Member - Strategic Change
The Cabinet Member - Strategic Change stated that congratulations were due to Council Officers and Bridgend FM for the success of this year’s Bridgend Retail Awards. This was the second year that they have been held and more than 6,000 members of the public went on-line to vote for their top traders, which went to show just how much they value their local shops. There were ten categories in the awards with three businesses shortlisted in each one.
The Cabinet Member - Strategic Change informed Members that he had recently met with the Porthcawl over-50s Forum, SHOUT, and was shown a list of seven schemes that they
are currently involved with. These included a proposed Samptampa memorial on the Porthcawl Esplanade and an upgrade to street furniture at Station Hill. He believed that these schemes had great potential for adding value to local regeneration matters, so he would be working with the group as much as possible as they developed.
The Cabinet Member - Strategic Change stated that following permission from the Welsh Government to assess the feasibility of establishing a Business Improvement District in Bridgend town centre, he was pleased to confirm that Stage One of the scheme has been
approved. Local traders would now vote on whether they want to establish such a district within the town centre, which would set up a system where businesses could each put money into a pot and then use the fund as they see fit for the benefit of local trade. A business plan was under development and a ballot would be held next June, these were interesting developments, and he would keep Members updated regarding progress.
The Cabinet Member - Strategic Change finally informed Members that Santa had been particularly busy in the County Borough recently. His arrival in Bridgend town centre and the switching-on of the Christmas lights was really well attended, and thanks were due to colleagues at Bridgend Town Council for their help and support in organising this popular event. In Porthcawl, Santa visited a Christmas market which featured a unique snow globe that kept the crowds entertained, and in Maesteg the switching on of the lights was accompanied by an ice rink in New Market Square. Again, thanks to the town councils for helping make Christmas in the County Borough really memorable this year he added.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S ANNOUNCEMENT
The Chief Executive updated Members on two recent developments. Firstly, he confirmed that Estyn had just completed an inspection of BCBC Children’s Services.
They were not due to provide any formal response to the Authority until the New Year, but in the meantime, the Council had received some very positive informal feedback from them, particularly around improvements in educational performance. This was of course highly promising and he would be in a position to provide more specific details in January. The Chief Executive thanked everyone who met with the Estyn Inspectors as part of this process, for example Councillors, Cabinet Members, Head Teachers, Governors and Council Officers, as well as thanking Council for their support. Hopefully he added, further positive news would be available very soon.
The Chief Executive informed Members that he had just heard that Bridgend County Borough Council had won an APSE award in the category of ‘Most Improved Performer for Building Cleaning’. The awards were based on factors such as cost, quality and productivity form part of the APSE Performance Network, which covers all local councils to offer the largest voluntary data benchmarking service in the United Kingdom. In other words, the APSE awards recognise local government services that provide taxpayers with best value for money, something which is more important than ever in the current climate.
The Chief Executive was sure Members would agree that this was good news, and that he would be contacting staff to congratulate them for their success.