(i) Mayor (or person presiding)
(ii) Members of the Cabinet
(iii) Chief Executive
Minutes:
Mayor
The Mayor listed a series of events he had recently attended including::
• Children's Literary Festival - Magic Gareth
Grand Pavilion (Esplanade Avenue, Porthcawl, Wales, CF36 3YW)
• The Bridgend Unsung Hero Awards 2023, on Friday 2nd June at the Heronston Hotel
• Bridgend Carers Garden Party
• Bridgend Carers Centre, 87 Park Street CF31 4AZ.
• Steam awards Pencoed college Thursday 8 June
He also highlighted the Pyle & Kenfig Hill Veterans Association event held on Saturday, 10th June 2023 at the association headquarters located at Pyle Royal British Legion Club, as well as his invite
to attend the Mayor’s Civic Sunday held at Newport Cathedral on Sunday 11th June.
Finally, the Mayor stated that Sarah Murphy, the Leader, Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, BCBC colleagues, CSC colleagues, Governors, PFA members, Keep Wales Tidy representatives and volunteers are excited to be invited to the Opening Ceremony of Cefn Glas Gardens school, highlighting the Local Places for Nature grant which has helped to make the grounds even more ‘purposefully beautiful’. The School have recently won the ‘Eco School Innovation Award’ in the ‘Tidy Wales Awards.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Social Services and Health
The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health confirmed how honoured she was to represent all 22 local authorities in the Senedd yesterday. This was for the launching of the Social Partnership Act or what is now termed as the Welsh Way. This will strengthen the involvement of the workforce and trade unions. This would also allow communities to be at the heart of our what we do, in order to promote wellbeing in our communities.
The inaugural Fostering Recognition Awards had recently been held, marking Foster Care fortnight, bringing local authorities together with Council Fostering Teams, to celebrate all their hard work and commitment that gives young people a beneficial start in life.
The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health expressed her wholehearted gratitude to carers who made a huge difference and greatly improved the quality of life for those in care, through the unrelenting work they undertook in communities, which also made a huge impact on the lives of the young people in question.
Cabinet Member – Housing, Planning and Regeneration
The Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration provided Members with a brief update on the latest developments with the regeneration programme at Porthcawl. This incorporated information related to the new sea defences, as well as the new Cosy Corner development which includes a new seafront play area.
Cabinet Member – Climate Change and the Environment
The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment provided updates on the following:
A public consultation over plans for how irresponsible dog ownership could be tackled in the future with a closing date of 18 July is now open. Full details are available to view on the consultation pages of the council website.
Cabinet Member – Finance, Resources and Legal
The Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Legal made an announcement regarding Hybont and the recent public meeting he had attended, to gather information and understand what concerns residents held regarding the Hybont proposal.
He explained that at the time it was my understanding that the only by-product to be piped off site would be excess hot water, and that this would be used to help heat local community facilities. However, following the meeting, and clarification regarding the Hydrogen pipeline he learned that his original understanding was incorrect, and that alongside a heat network of water pipes there is a proposal to include a hydrogen pipeline to supply a hydrogen boiler for schools and other buildings around Ynysawdre.
The Cabinet Member expressed regret that his comprehension of Hybont was inaccurate and that subsequently his challenge regarding the pipeline was based on a misunderstanding of the project.
He stated that it was only right to offer an unreserved apology for any upset or anxiety his actions may have caused.
He continued to provide a further update regarding the repayment of loans that had been made to Thurrock Council as part of our Treasury Management Strategy.
Cabinet Member – Community Safety and Wellbeing
The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Wellbeing provided an update on the community hub scheme that is being trialled in the Garw and Ogmore valleys.
Available between 10am and 1.30pm on both days, the customer service advisors can help with queries and applications for Blue Badges, housing and homelessness applications and council tax enquiries. They can also support people who want to access pest control services or report highways issues such as street lighting or potholes, or waste issues like fly-tipping, graffiti or dog fouling.
This same level of support is also available at all Awen-staffed libraries across the county borough.
For all other matters, residents are advised to visit our website for more information or to use the council’s digital self-service options, or to phone the council directly on 01656 643643.
The Cabinet Member also highlighted June as Pride month, congratulating the organisers and volunteers who helped to make the recent Pride Cymru event in Cardiff such a resounding success and stressing the importance of the Council’s work in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and helping to promote equality and diversity as part of the Proud Councils network.
The Summer Pride event was scheduled for the 24th June.
Chief Executive
The Chief Executive announced the return of Armed Forces Week in Bridgend County Borough, and how this will be marked in different ways including a ceremonial re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant on Friday 23 June at the Civic Offices to mark its tenth anniversary.
There will also be the raising of the Armed Forces flag outside the Civic Offices, followed by a parade featuring serving troops as well as cadets, veterans and their families, through Bridgend town centre on Saturday the 24th of June. It will begin from Carnegie House at 11am and will head down Wyndham Street and Dunraven Place.
The event will also feature military vehicles, activities, live music and stalls representing the Armed Forces, charities, local organisations and more. It will finish at approximately 1.45pm with a ‘drumhead’ service.
The Chief Executive also highlighted that the local authority were actively encouraging former members of the armed forces and those who are preparing to re-enter civilian life to consider applying for roles within Bridgend County Borough Council. The current scheme guaranteed an interview to former armed forces personnel.