The Leader reported that Members will no doubt have seen coverage about the provisional local government settlement last week.  Bridgend County Borough Council is set to receive £187.5 million for 2016-17 which is 1.2 per cent cash reduction on its 2015-16 settlement.  This is a more positive outcome than the Authority expected, although it should be noted that it included £2.5 million specifically to support Social Services and to allow Schools’ protection to continue for another year. Taking account of the need to meet these pressures, the reduction in BCBC’s controllable budget was closer to 2.5%.  There was also a reduction to some specific grants, including the Single Environment Grant and Families First, with information on others not yet available.  Notwithstanding this, the settlement is still better than anticipated and this ass welcome news he added.  Work was now underway to prepare a Draft Revenue Budget for 2016-17 which will be presented to the Cabinet for consideration in the New Year.

As the Armed Forces Champion for the authority, the Leader was pleased to confirm that from 21 December, past and serving members of the Armed Forces are to be offered free swimming opportunities at leisure centres across Bridgend County Borough. The Council had teamed up with its leisure partners Halo, to make this available during public sessions at all swimming pools. All that was needed to take advantage of the offer is an MOD Defence Privilege Card. Residents who are aged over 60 can already benefit from free swimming, while children aged under 16 can swim for free at specified times during school holidays, too. The Leader was delighted that the Council and Halo had been able to extend this offer to include former and serving members of the armed forces. Just over two years ago, the Authority established the Bridgend Armed Forces Community Covenant and made a pledge to provide them with appropriate help, support and advice, so this was a further demonstration of the area’s pride and appreciation of its Armed Forces, and follows beneficial changes to BCBC’s Housing policy, Council Tax Reduction Scheme and school place allocation policy. More information was available on the free swimming initiative at www.haloleisure.org.uk or by calling 0300 012 1223.

Finally, Members were aware that BCBC are actively pursuing a series of community asset transfers in order to deliver savings, while also keeping specific facilities and buildings in public use. It recently completed an asset transfer which will see our former Minerva Street Day Centre taken on as the new base of operations for St John’s Ambulance. As Wales’ leading first aid charity, the organisation had been seeking suitable premises in the area for some time, and the Minerva Centre met their needs, as soon as it became available. It was formerly used by the Adult Day Services which were transferred to Bridgend Resource Centre, and then by the library service for a temporary period, before becoming surplus to requirements.

He understood that St John’s would be using the centre for purposes such as first aid training and volunteering opportunities for young people and adults, so he was really pleased at this asset transfer, as it will enable the charity to make an even more valuable contribution towards community life.