The Town and Community Council  Forum welcomed Aled Sion - Eisteddfod Director and Morys Gruffydd-  Eisteddfod Organiser to the meeting and thanked them for taking their time to address the Committee.

The Eisteddfod Director introduced the report to the Forum and provided them with further information about the event that was due to take place in Bridgend County in 2017

He explained that the Urdd National Eisteddfod attracts up to 100,000 visitors to the six day event and 15,000 competitors.  Children and Young people from all over Wales and beyond, compete and benefit from the Urdd National Eisteddfod – at a local, regional and national level.

The Eisteddfod Director explained that the aim of the Urdd was to ensure that all the young people of Wales (between the ages of 8 and 25) are given the opportunity through the medium of Welsh, to develop into rounded individuals; and to empower them to play a constructive role in the community by encouraging personal and social skills. 

The Eisteddfod Director explained to Members that as the Urdd Eisteddfod is a national festival they would be appealing to Councils in all tiers of local government to support the event.  Any grant aid would contribute to the overall costs of staging the Urdd National Eisteddfod.  He added that any contribution would be appreciated greatly. 

The Eisteddfod Director explained that the event in 2017 would be held on the land at Bridgend College, Pencoed Campus during Whitsun half term 29 May – 3 June 2017.  He advised that an opening Concert, Primary Schools Show and a Youth Show would be held during the week.  He added that the Eisteddfod Proclamation event would be held within the county on Saturday 8 October 2016 with a procession and entertainment in order to celebrate the fact that the Eisteddfod is coming to the Bridgend, Taf and Ely region

A Member asked if the organisers would be visiting local schools in the Borough to encourage participation and enthusiasm for the event.  The Eisteddfod organiser informed members that they would be visiting both English and Welsh schools in the County and encouraging participation in the event by giving them small fundraising targets.

A Member for Maesteg Town Council stated that they had been given a fundraising target of £20,000 which, with the support of the local community and many donations that they had already received from the community they were confident of reaching their target.  He asked Officers how BCBC would be contributing to the event.  The Corporate Director Communities advised the Forum that as well as a financial contribution of £25,000 from the strategic events fund, there would also be a financial contribution top sliced from the WLGA from BCBC.  He added that members of staff from the Authority particularly those who spoke welsh would be on site at the event.  He further added that the internal communications team would also be promoting the event through various channels including local media and also holding community engagement events throughout the Borough. 

A Member asked if local businesses will be approached to contribute financially as the event would see a large amount of people coming into the area and increasing trade for many local businesses. The Eisteddfod Organiser stated that the event would see increased trade for many local businesses and they would be engaging with businesses in due course to seek their support for the event.

A Member asked if there had been any communication with local bed and breakfasts and hotels to ensure there would be sufficient accommodation for the public to stay when they visited the Eisteddfod.  The Manager, Tourism and Countryside informed members that this would be a challenge as in addition to being Whitsun holidays the Champions League Final is also taking place in Cardiff during the same time as the Eisteddfod so there will a high demand for hotels.  He added that they would be working in partnership with local businesses to speak with Eisteddfod organisers to create packages well in advance of the event.  He added that many people who choose to stay overnight whilst attending the Eisteddfod also bring their own motorhomes and caravans and there would be a designated area allocated for them.  A member suggested that in the past people had been put up with local families and asked if this would be an option.  The Manager, tourism and Countryside stated that this was an option but would be facilitated by Urdd Organisers.

The Leader stated that Bridgend were very much looking forward to hosting the event and it was good news for local businesses and traders but there would be a lot of fundraising efforts to be achieved between now and the time of the event and everyone needs to contribute in whatever way they can to make the event a success.  

RESOLVED:             That:

1. The Town and Community Councils noted the contents of the report; and
2. The Town and Community Councils received the presentation by the Urdd organisers as set out in Appendix 1 of the report regarding the Urdd National Eisteddfod being held in the County Borough of Bridgend from 29 May to 3 June 2017