The Leader reported that as Members may have seen that earlier this week, Welsh Government had announced their consultation on proposals for transferring healthcare services for people in the Bridgend County Borough area to Cwm Taf University Health Board instead of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

The Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, Alun Davies AM, is intending to establish the County Borough in the South East Wales regional footprint for healthcare provision and social services, and complement existing economic and education partnerships.

Local Government Secretary Alun Davies.

Full details on the proposals are available at the Welsh Government website, and views were invited until the closing date of 7th March 2018.

The Leader was sure that Members will want to take a closer look, make their thoughts known, and encourage local residents to have their say.

The Leader advised that he reported to members at the last meeting about the possibility of developing a Logistics Hub here in Bridgend at Brocastle, for the construction of the third runway at Heathrow. We had dozens of local businesses that were very well placed to service such a Hub, and the Council were supporting the MP for Bridgend in organising an event in the Hew Year, at which we will showcase the successful businesses we had in the County Borough. When meeting with the First Secretary and the Secretary of State for Wales recently, the Leader had took the opportunity to make a case for locating a Logistics Hub in Bridgend. The main purpose of the meeting with Damien Green MP and Alun Cairns MP, was to discuss the impact of Brexit on Wales. There was a united position from Leaders across South Wales, of all political parties, that when the shared prosperity fund is established, we need to maintain the level of investment currently being made in Wales through the European Union..

The Leader advised that we recently requested and a held a meeting with Network Rail to discuss a Bridgend Transport Hub to improve access for bus services to Bridgend Railway Station. As members were aware, the Bridgend Rail station was poorly served by direct bus services, and this was largely due to the constrained road layout and access to the station. With funding from the European Union in place, we were ready to start work over a decade ago. This was scuppered at the last minute back in 2012 by Network Rail who had supported this, due to the land being required for electrification of the main line. At the meeting last week officials from Network Rail were very positive about our plans, upon which he assured he would keep Members posted.

Local Members would be aware, that work at long last was forging ahead at the former Margam opencast site.

The site had been a major concern for residents of Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr. As the original restoration scheme was not carried out by Celtic Energy and landowners Oak Generation, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Councils, have been working closely together with Natural Resources Wales and the Coal Authority.

The old industrial structures were being removed, landscaping work was taking place, and a new drainage system had been installed to ensure that water levels remain safe. Trees, shrubs and grass had all been planted, and with the void converted into a lake that measures 700m at its widest point, the site was destined to become a green open space, where nature could thrive.

In fact added the Leader, great crested newts, dormice and other rare species were already flourishing on site before the restoration works had began. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot CBC, Councillor Gebbie and himself, together with Officers recently visited the site, and could see how wildlife had fought back and had already naturally re-colonised in many areas.

With many public rights of way set to be fully reinstated by the end of 2018, the local community were looking forward to seeing this former industrial area becoming a haven for wildlife which everyone could enjoy.