Councillor Richard Collins to the Cabinet Member Wellbeing & Future Generations

 

I welcomed the opportunity to view the exciting work underway to refurbish and improve Maesteg Sports Centre. Please can the Cabinet Member update us on progress to complete the scheme.

 

Councillor Steven Easterbrook to the Leader

 

Management companies operating on Bridgend for residents of new build housing estates have for a number of years been taking a management fee, yet have failed to carry out the maintenance. Issues that have occurred and needed resolving range from street lighting, road repairs, sweeping of leaf litter from gullies and boundary maintenance of hedges. Residents are not only charged Council Tax at the same rate as every other householder but are also subject to this additional fee to a third party maintenance company, there are often issues for residents contacting these companies with contacts within the company not responding to emails, yet residents are still expected to pay the fee every year that varies from house to house. Does the Leader feel that this acceptable that residents in this Borough are charged twice for the same service offered by two separate entities, when it appears neither are delivering a service residents are paying for.

 

Councillor Martin Williams to the Leader

 

Junction 36 of the M4 is a notorious bottleneck which causes congestion, restricts development & investment opportunities to the north of our county and causes misery to residents in neighbouring communities, which are being used as increasingly dangerous rat runs. Could the Leader please outline what efforts this authority has made to improve junction 36 and the surrounding highway network (including re-consideration of the once proposed Bryncethin by-pass) to alleviate the traffic issues once and for all.

 

Councillor Freya Bletsoe to the Cabinet Member Regeneration

 

In light of the recent announcement that Porthcawl Grand Pavilion will see significant investment from the Central Government “levelling up funding” and the ongoing improvements to Maesteg Town Hall, what undertaking will the cabinet member for regeneration give to all residents in all corners of our Borough that we will see our own county wide “levelling up” that will ensure a full and equitable investment in all areas of our Boroughs cultural heritage?

Councillor RC Collins to the Cabinet Member – Wellbeing and Future Generations

 

I welcomed the opportunity to view the exciting work underway to refurbish and improve Maesteg Sports Centre. Please can the Cabinet Member update us on progress to complete the scheme?

 

Response

 

Thank you for the question regarding the refurbishments of Maesteg Sports centre and also Pencoed Library. Firstly, at Maesteg, this is an exciting project and the result of a number of years of work behind the scenes to access funding to support this development through BCBC, Halo and Sport Wales Capital funding. The centre helped to support the covid vaccination programme and has been identifying how it can further build centre usage since the easing of restrictions on the leisure sector.

 

The first phase of the works were officially opened on the 1st March 2023 by the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, Cllr Martyn Jones, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Huw David and myself also accompanied by local members who had been invited. The centre was also celebrating its 40th birthday since opening as a leisure venue.

 

The most recent works have seen the start of the creation of the new fitness and wellbeing spaces within the site which will grow into a new 54 station fitness and wellbeing area which is twice as big as the previous space. The design has included new toilet provision including an accessible toilet and new ventilation system. This work has taken place within an area of the former Y Llynfi reference library that is planned to migrate to Maesteg Town Hall.This area is now already in use by the public and receiving positive comments.

 

The next stage of the works will see the redesign of the original and smaller gym space to become a functional fitness area by the middle of April and the mezzanine floor to be a wellbeing area with a focus on a range of health and community programmes being delivered for residents.

 

These works will then continue through the building with the changing areas being redecorated with new showering facilities, lighting and flooring. This will be complemented by a change to the current family provision making it a “changing places” style space with improved accessibility and still allowing family access alongside towards the end of May

 

The final stages of the works over the coming months will see the construction of 2 flexible multi use rooms in former office space and another area alongside the previous soft play section towards the end of June. This will allow multiple partner events such as training, meetings and delivery of targeted support such as the health board supported Joint Care Programme amongst others as the centre develops a wider diversity of services.

 

These works are also underpinned by energy investments into new lighting and energy reduction elements as part of our commitment to the council reducing the carbon footprint.

 

The works cost when completed will be in excess of £400,000 and when achieved will mean over £500,000 has been invested into the Maesteg site in the last year linked to the redevelopment of the soft play area and squash court enhancements.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor RC Collins

 

With the recent announcement from Tennis Wales and BCBC for the provision of tennis courts in 3 areas of the County Borough, can I ask for some reassurance that the Authority will pursue further opportunities to provide more facilities that will promote health and wellbeing for individuals across the Bridgend area.

 

Response

 

We are committed to investment for the above. I was recently at Maesteg Sports Centre with Ward members from the Maesteg area to see some of the refurbishment works that had been carried out at the Centre and indeed which were still ongoing. At Cabinet yesterday we also approved the proposals for tennis facilities at Maesteg Welfare Park, Griffin Park Porthcawl, and at Ogmore Vale and Heol-y-Cyw also, This was part of a rolling programme in terms of further investment for health and wellbeing facilities planned across the County Borough.

 

Second supplementary question from Councillor M Hughes

 

There is a particular need for further health and wellbeing provision in the valley areas of the Ogmore and Garw. What is being proposed there to improve the current situation.

 

Response

 

The newly approved Council Corporate Plan identifies investment in our valley areas as a key priority for the BCB which will be realised. The Ogmore Life Centre has benefited in recent years from some investment and in the Garw valley we co-located the library in the Garw Valley Leisure Centre which had proved a success. Plans were also proposed to developing youth provision at this Life Centre, in order that support is available for all age groups and all backgrounds. Welsh Government had also provided additional funding for the roll out of Flying Start in Blaengarw and Nantymoel.   

 

Question from Councillor S Easterbrook to the Leader

 

Management companies operating on Bridgend for residents of new build housing estates have for a number of years been taking a management fee, yet have failed to carry out the maintenance. Issues that have occurred and needed resolving range from street lighting, road repairs, sweeping of leaf litter from gullies and boundary maintenance of hedges. Residents are not only charged Council Tax at the same rate as every other householder but are also subject to this additional fee to a third party maintenance company, there are often issues for residents contacting these companies with contacts within the company not responding to emails, yet residents are still expected to pay the fee every year that varies from house to house. Does the Leader feel that this acceptable that residents in this Borough are charged twice for the same service offered by two separate entities, when it appears neither are delivering a service residents are paying for.

 

Response

 

With regards to the management fee referred to in your question. These fees apply where a new estate has been built and the housing company charge a management fee for the upkeep of communal areas that are not in the control of the council. This would cover the costs to maintain, renew and repair the shared community amenities and spaces which the local council has not adopted – predominantly green spaces. This agreement is between the landlord, or their agent, and the homeowner. The service provided will not also be provided by the Council in this area. I don’t consider it acceptable that residents pay a fee to a third party maintenance company and doesn’t receive a service; however, the Council is not involved in this arrangement and any concerns with regards to this should be dealt with directly with the agents.

 

The Welsh Government has previously called for evidence on the impact of this practice and is in talks with the UK Government over potential new England and Wales legislation to give freeholders the same rights as leaseholders to challenge management fees and even force a change of companies. I have asked Welsh Government for an update on this call for evidence.

 

With regards to the Council Tax, I can confirm that this will be charged as soon as the property is completed and the full charge for the property is made, unless certain exemptions apply. I would also draw your attention to the information that was included in the recently approved Corporate Plan which illustrates how the Council’s budget is spent.  As you will be aware, the Council Tax only fund 27% of the total spend of this Council. Using the total funding available, the Council provides over 800 services for residents in this area and council tax is not broken down into component areas for each household.

 

Supplementary question from S Easterbrook

 

Welsh Government has previously called for evidence on the impact of this practise and is in talks with the UK Government over potential new legislation for England and Wales to give freeholders the same rights as leaseholders to challenge management fees and even force a change for these companies. I would welcome this information as and when it is received. I note that you did not include the Authorities role at the outset of the planning process and how management companies are allowed to charge this management fee at all. I believe that developers of some new developments considered by the Development Control Committee, have to put this condition of management companies into their plans and proposals, before they are approved. Should the Council therefore not be allowing this practise in the first place and stop placing this condition on developers which ultimately ends up costing our residents, ie a form of double taxing. Constituents have said to me, that they don’t get a lot from these management services they are having to pay for. I do understand more management fees being imposed for the occupier of a flat in a complex, due to for example, the maintenance of shared communal areas etc.

 

Response

 

We have a situation whereby not all developers wish to have their areas of build adopted by the Council and this is not something by statute that we can legislate for. So therefore, on occasions, new developers are now very much akin to wanting the local authority to adopt roads and play areas at new developments. There are occasions though, whereby developers when they construct new estates, do not wish to commute these type of facilities over to the Council to maintain them as this comes with a S106 agreement commitment and a commuted capital fee. So instead, some developers choose to impose a management fee which can be placed upon occupiers of the development. Residents are aware of this situation as part of the purchase of their property and that this fee is for estate maintenance and it is then up to the resident(s) whether or not they would wish to bear this cost going forward, or to arrange for maintenance of, for example, grassed/open areas, maintenance of roads etc, themselves. Those that do accept this, can form a Management Committee (comprising of committed residents), in order that they can have meetings with the Management Company, in order that they are able to form a relationship with the company going forward in order to plan such maintenance works. Local authorities have very limited ability to prevent developers taking on management companies for this purpose. The Development Control Committee has no involvement whatsoever in this, it was added.

 

Question from Councillor M Williams to the Leader

 

Junction 36 of the M4 is a notorious bottleneck which causes congestion, restricts development & investment opportunities to the north of our county and causes misery to residents in neighbouring communities, which are being used as increasingly dangerous rat runs. Could the Leader please outline what efforts this authority has made to improve junction 36 and the surrounding highway network (including re-consideration of the once proposed Bryncethin by-pass) to alleviate the traffic issues once and for all.

 

Response

 

Improvements to Junction 36 is identified as a strategic transport project for Bridgend.  As the junction is part of the trunk road system it falls within the purview of Welsh Government, which effectively owns the asset.  WG has commissioned WelTAG (Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance) studies on M4 motorway junctions including those within Bridgend.  However, following the publication of the recent report from the Roads Review Panel, it is clear that any improvements to the junction to ease traffic congestion or to facilitate car travel is not going to be supported by Welsh Government.  Furthermore, national planning policy does not favour car-based transport solutions.  In terms of any future road building projects, there is no specific allocation for a new bypass at Bryncethin in the current Local Development Plan or its replacement.  Any such project will unlikely receive permission and any solution to capacity issues within the area will have to be active travel or public transport based.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor M Williams

 

Given situations such as the Y Bont and Highways Yard depot moving to Bryncethin and the Kenning Development only going to get worse, together with the Welsh Government moratorium going to discourage active travel etc, we are now as far away as ever of having some serious investment committed to the problems at Junction 36, together with increased housing being proposed in this and surrounding areas which will only exacerbate the current problem, what tactical or affordable interventions can be made or have been considered, that could help communities such as Coity village and Bryncethin etc, to cope with the impacts of this junction. Also, could the Leader agree to a meeting with the relevant Officers and Cabinet member and the local members of Coity and St. Brides Minor, in order to consider some options to improve the situation here going forward.

 

Response

 

We will arrange for the meeting with Ward members along the lines you suggest. When the announcement was made by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change I arranged to meet with him about the review and I made it clear that we would wish for Welsh Government to consider alternative ways to improve Junction 36 to include enhancements for Active Travel routes and public transport priority corridors and I will be ensuring that this is followed-up as part of the overall infrastructure of our motorway and transport network. This would also need to be funded by WG. I will keep members informed of the outcome of this accordingly.

 

Second supplementary question from Councillor T Thomas

 

In terms of road improvements in this area, could we have an update on the suitability of bus and train provision within the Valleys Gateway and in that statement could he also give an update on the Tondu Loop, which provides a service every half hour to the Llynfi valley.

 

Response

 

The bus industry is experiencing a very difficult time at present with the Welsh Government now having to provide additional funding through the Bus Emergency Support Grant, which is a multi-million pound package of support. However, this support is likely to come to an end in the coming months. In view of this, we will be working closely with the industry in order to support them as they make this very difficult transition. The reason for the decline in passengers, stems from the pandemic and unfortunately this has not fully recovered nor with it the income previously generated pre-pandemic. We are discussing ways to resolve the situation as best we can, with First Cymru. I will provide a response to the Tondu Loop part of the question, outside of the meeting. 

 

Question from Councillor F Bletsoe to the Cabinet Member – Regeneration

 

In light of the recent announcement that Porthcawl Grand Pavilion will see significant investment from the Central Government “levelling up funding” and the ongoing improvements to Maesteg Town Hall, what undertaking will the cabinet member for regeneration give to all residents in all corners of our Borough that we will see our own county wide “levelling up” that will ensure a full and equitable investment in all areas of our Boroughs cultural heritage?

 

Response

 

The recent news of this council’s successful bid to the UK Government Levelling-Up Fund, in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust (AWEN), for the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl has been welcomed by Cabinet, members and the public across the county borough. The beneficiaries of this investment into a cultural asset such as the Grand Pavilion will not be limited to Porthcawl but will be felt by people across the county borough and indeed the wider region. Users and audiences from a wider area view the Grand Pavilion as their creative / cultural home. It is too simplistic to suggest that the location of the theatre determines that the impact of investment is restricted to the immediate locality.

 

In order to preserve and enhance the longer-term future of cultural services and activity-based opportunities, the Council supported the development of the cultural partnership with AWEN in 2015.This was for a period of 20 years and sought to sustain a range of cultural assets and opportunities at a time where the only alternative would have been to reduce provision in order to meet medium-term financial strategy efficiencies. The partnership model has returned over £800k in savings to the council since 2015, at the same time as enhancing the provision as was transferred in 2015.

 

The Grand Pavilion is included in the portfolio and fulfils a strategic role for residents of the County Borough and beyond including the needs of visitors. This exciting re-development will result in enhanced performance spaces, gallery and event space – all with the flexibility to incorporate broader activities and art forms, a more environmentally friendly asset and a more inclusive and accessible offer with related infrastructure improvements to support facility users with diverse needs.

 

The Levelling Up investment has been secured through a competitive process and via UK government with the strategic and cultural role of the asset needing to be evidenced. The submission was the highest scoring in Wales and many other applications across Wales were unsuccessful. Opened in 1932, the Grand Pavilion is a Grade II listed building and one of the County Borough’s most treasured cultural and heritage assets. Levelling Up funding will ensure that long-identified works needed to secure the building’s fabric into the long-term will be completed as well as the exciting additions listed above.

 

The Grand Pavilion project is only the latest in a number of investments made into the Council’s cultural estate over the last decade. In 2014 Bridgend Library was completed at Bridgend Life Centre, Pyle Library was refurbished in 2019 and Pencoed Library is currently in the process of undergoing a £400K refurbishment. In the Llynfi Vallely the Council, again working with Awen, are nearing the completion of the re-development of Maesteg Town Hall, which like the Grand Pavilion will have benefit for the wider valley area and also boost the socio-economic life of the town centre. The co-location of library services within existing assets at Pontycymer and Ogmore Vale in partnership with Halo Leisure have sustained library services for these communities with capital investment secured to develop the facility at Pontycymer.

 

Awen have also invested in Blaengarw Workmen’s Hall and have re-established an events and community programme to support cultural life in the Garw Valley. This year a new stage, cinema and eventequipment has been installed to further to Hall’s ability to support the local community, and cultural activity within the Valley.

 

Bryngarw Park is another cultural asset which serves the whole county borough and attracts in excess of 220, 000 visitors every year. Over the last three years, the park has benefited from near £700, 000 of investment through the Council’s participation in the Welsh Government’s Valleys Regional Park programme. This investment allowed Awen to develop a new education centre, redevelop the visitor centre, improve accessible facilities and improve car parking, walking and toilet facilities. The park is now considered one of the best in the South Wales area for its facilities and programme, with a commitment to accessible play and the range of activities and events it offers, which include discovery walks, storytelling events, exhibitions, open air theatre and concerts.

 

We are also committed to working with Bridgend College to bring froward a new modern teaching and learning campus to Bridgend town centre which will include classrooms, IT suites, multi-purpose studios, catering kitchens, recording and dance studios, design workshops, performance areas and more. The development will also include a 200 seat theatre offering a wide range of opportunities for community uses and engagement, and will provide a great benefit to the night time economy in the town.

 

The Welsh Government have committed to the development of a National Cultural Strategy during 2023 and the Council and its partners will be keen to identify any opportunities that can preserve or further enhance local assets and opportunities.

 

The scope of the cultural strategy includes venues like the Grand Pavilion but also services such as libraries, museums and archives. The Maesteg Town Hall project will be able to support a broad range of cultural activity for the longer term and again has a strategic role in supporting the cultural needs of our resident population. In addition to supporting performances the two venues identified will expand their potential to support community arts groups and third sector organisations. The venue at Maesteg will have made best use of resources by co-locating the town library, the reference library and county family history service in one space.

 

Beyond facility based library services there has been success in terms of the Books on Wheels mobile library service supporting the more vulnerable at home; highlighting the potential to support people in different ways and in different places. Digital access to resources also increased significantly during the pandemic and this trend has not changed in terms of remote accessing of books, magazines and music. Specific support is in place to support people with sensory impairments also and outreach programmes that connect with schools and other partners to extend the reach of services. In partnership with Awen we will continue to support those who need remote access. It will be important to identify innovative approaches to reaching people and improving accessibility beyond the use of physical assets in the future also.

 

Awen also now directly operating the Bridgend Youth Theatre programme and are in a position to ensure that opportunities can be accessed across the County. In addition, the ability to develop access to opportunities in less traditional spaces via outreach programmes and pop-up opportunities in smaller settings is actively being pursued. Recent examples would be using virtual reality approaches in care homes, pop up cinema in day services, and carer friendly events, to name a few.

 

Responsibility for our heritage and cultural assets is taken very seriously. A Built Heritage Strategy for the County Borough is currently being prepared, the aim of which is to conserve protect and enhance the built heritage of Bridgend County. Listed Building Consent delegation that has recently been awarded to this authority will assist with the aims of the strategy and the efficiency of determining applications to facilitate protection and enhancement and improve certainty and confidence of historic building owners. Within the County Borough, there are 374 Listed Buildings, 60 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, 16 Conservation Areas, 6 Historic Parks and Gardens and 2 Landscapes of Outstanding / Special Historic Interest. A project is currently underway at Bedford Iron Works, involving significant vegetation clearance, masonry repairs and health and safety works to facilitate its reopening to the public, funded by BCBC it is with a view to establishing a potential heritage partnership agreement with Cadw for future maintenance.

 

Aside from the formal cultural services provision, there are other avenues being implemented and explored to support Bridgend’s cultural heritage including a Heritage trail for Bridgend Town, bringing together history and points of interest along a guided route. On-going support is also being provided to Hut 9, to progress feasibility work for the site, deliver events and explore funding opportunities with Cadw to conserve the site and paintings.

 

Earlier this year we commissioned a series of surveys of vacant churches and chapels across our three valleys to update a previous 2014 chapels survey. This is with a view to complete an assessment of their historic & architectural character, and cultural value alongside identifying potential funding, support and best practice for potential conversion to new uses.

 

Hopefully this provides the members with reassurance that investment in all areas of our County Borough’s cultural heritage is an ongoing process and is continuously being sought and delivered.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor F Bletsoe

 

Numerous third parties such as Arwen Trust, Cadw, Halo and the Bridgend College are doing a great job in delivering cultural heritage and leisure opportunities in the County Borough. As Bridgend is known for producing some superb bands and duo’s such as Bullet for my Valentine, Funeral for a Friend, Sex Clone Utopia, Dave and Griff and Those Damn Crows amongst others, can I ask what support BCBC (and not the 3^rd parties mentioned above) are doing and have done, to support the growing music scene in Bridgend as part of a cultural and heritage reach.

 

Response

 

A detailed response on this question will be given to members outside of the meeting. The Leader added that Arwen Cultural Trust was created by BCBC and it is only able to support organisations that deliver arts and culture throughout the County Borough because of the annual support the local authority provided through a partnership arrangement. In terms of the town centre, we were instrumental in securing Cheapside for a new College Campus that will be able to accommodate arts and cultural events in the future.

 

Second supplementary question from Councillor M Lewis

 

With regards to the Boroughs Cultural Heritage, how successful were the recent celebrations of the tricentennial birthday of Dr. Richard Price, Llangeinor, which I unfortunately missed due to illness.

 

Response

 

This was a very satisfying occasion where there was involvement from Arwen, the Garw Valley Community Council and the Richard Price Society and BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards who originates from the Garw Valley. He unveiled a blue plaque in London where Dr. Price lived and at this location there was an excellent turnout for Dr. Price due to his influence on both the French and American revolutions. This included pupils from Blaengarw who attended there to celebrate the valleys wonderful heritage.