The Leader announced that the proposal for Bridgend by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance offers an opportunity to forge a stronger partnership with RCT, Merthyr and a new and close relationship with Cwm Taf Health Board.  The change if it happens, would not take place overnight and the Council will of course continue to work closely with Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and ABMU. The Cwm Taf partnership is very excited by the proposal of the Council working together across the region in the future on health, social services and wellbeing.  

A Member of Council requested an assurance that proposals for a new partnership with the Cwm Taf Health Board would not see the downgrading of services being delivered by the Princess of Wales Hospital.  The Leader stated that the Cabinet Secretary was very clear that the proposal was not about the downgrading of services being delivered by the Princess of Wales Hospital and Consultants at the hospital were very pleased with the new proposals.  The Leader gave an assurance that he would keep Group Leaders of the proposals as they develop in detail.          

He also informed Members that in the last week, the Welsh Government Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales Valleys published a high-level action plan called ‘Our Valleys, Our Future’.  This aimed to focus efforts and resources across all levels of government in order to deliver real and lasting positive change, and close the employment gap between the valleys and the rest of Wales by creating new, secure jobs.

He stated that as the County Borough was not included among the list of strategic hubs, he had requested and held an urgent meeting with the Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language Minister, Alun Davies AM, and Huw Irranca-Davies AM.  He was pleased to be able to inform Members that as a result, the Minister had given assurances that when the detailed action plan is published, it will feature specific proposals to meet the needs of communities in the Llynfi, Garw and Ogmore valleys.  As such, the Leader had asked officers to prioritise work with Welsh Government officials throughout the summer to develop proposals that will support our valleys.  He hoped to be able to bring more news on this soon.

The Leader announced that he was very disappointed to receive a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Wales confirming that the UK Government had scrapped plans to electrify the Great Western Railway line between Cardiff and Swansea.  Instead, new ‘bi-mode’ trains that swap between diesel and electric and extra seats on rush hour services would be operated on the line.  He stated that the line would not have the same kind of modern railway technology that nearly all European counterparts and competitors already have in place and there was concern that this decision will deter national and international businesses from investing in Wales any further down the line than Cardiff.

A Member of Council shared his disappointment at the scrapping of plans to electrify the railway line from Cardiff to Swansea and asked whether the decision would impact on the proposal for increased frequency of services on the Tondu loop to Maesteg.  The Leader informed the Member that he would get back to the Member concerned whether it would impact on the proposal for increased frequency of services to Maesteg. 

A Member referred to the proposed abolition of tolls for the Severn Bridge    and expressed concern that the Welsh Government had yet to approve a route for the M4 relief road around Newport which was causing delays to road freight.  The Leader considered that it was equally important for the rail line to be electrified to enable more freight to be carried by rail.  He stated that he would contact the Welsh Government to establish the progress being made with the M4 relief road around Newport, but was aware that the matter was subject to inquiry.     

He informed Members that the disappointment turned to anger when the Secretary of State for Transport had this week pledged to consider support for Crossrail 2, yet another project for London, this time a multibillion north-south rail line running across the capital between Hertfordshire and Surrey.  In response to this, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates has written to the Secretary of State to demand that Wales still receives the £700m earmarked for electrification so it can be invested in local rail projects.

He informed Members that Council Leaders from across South and West Wales across the political party divide are united in calling for the UK government to honour its long standing commitment to the people of Wales. 

He stated that the situation would be watched closely, but whatever lay ahead, he assured Members that Bridgend would do all it can to get the modern rail service that local people deserve and need.

The Leader announced that sporting legends like Nick Faldo have arrived in Wales, for the most prestigious event in the European Seniors Tour, The Senior Open Championship, will begin at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club tomorrow.  He stated that the event which took place at Porthcawl in 2014, the first time in Wales, drew universal praise and acclaim from the golfing world and the area was showcased to a global audience of millions.  Last time 43,000 visitors flocked to the town and over £2 million was brought into the local economy.  He stated that this is a major event which helps to put the County Borough and a world class destination on the map, and hoped the event would be just as successful this time around.

The Leader announced The Mayor announced that the annual anniversary service to mark the Parc Slip disaster would be taking place on 26 August 2017.  A full day of events is planned at the Parc Slip Nature Reserve to mark the 125^th anniversary of the disaster.