(i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

Mayor

The Mayor informed Council of the engagements which he had undertaken since the last meeting of Council, which included visiting the Standing to Grow Playgroup based in the Nantyffyllon Miners Institute Maesteg, which had recently opened a new room, funded by the Childcare Offer Capital Funding Grant and allocated by the childcare team on behalf of Bridgend County Borough Council.  He had attended the annual prize giving evening at Pencoed Comprehensive School and congratulated the pupils on their success and the staff for their dedication and commitment.

The Mayor announced that he was honoured to support the Annual Charity Poppy Appeal held in the Garw Valley Leisure Centre, with music being provided by the Prince of Wales Division Band and included contributions from various local choirs.  The Mayor informed Council that in the coming month he would be visiting the winners of the Local Business Awards, held in September. 

Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader announced that the County Borough’s first ever re-use shop has opened for business at Maesteg’s community recycling centre.  It will be run by social enterprise Wastesavers in partnership with the Council and Kier.  The shop has been named ‘The Siding’ in recognition of Maesteg’s mining heritage.  Unwanted household items, in good condition can be donated and put to good use, with all profits reinvested into social programmes.

Arrangements have been made for Members to receive training in Managing Abusive And Aggressive Phone Calls, Conflict Management and Personal Safety Awareness on 31 October 2019, with the first session commencing at 9.30am, and a repeat session at 1.30pm. Some places are still available at both sessions and Members wishing to attend should contact, Andrew Rees, Democratic Services Manager. 

Cabinet Member Communities

The Cabinet Member Communities informed Members of the recent and very reluctant decision of Cabinet to move to a full-cost recovery position for playing fields and sports pavilions.  It highlighted the position the Council is in and reveals just how far the local authority has been subsidising such facilities, in some cases by as much as 80%.  He urged more organisations, sports groups and town and community councils to come forward and meet with the Council to discuss taking on the running of popular local facilities through the Community Asset Transfer process, with Bryncethin Rugby Club being a perfect example of what this process can achieve, and demonstrates how a club or organisation can access funding to develop new facilities.  He stated that until local government finds itself in a position where it is sufficiently funded, the Council is going to need to continue to work in closer partnership and use processes such as community asset transfers in order to ensure that facilities such as toilets, pavilions, playing fields, pitches, playgrounds and more remain available to use.  He hoped Members will reflect this message within their own wards, and will encourage local people to consider how they too might contribute towards keeping popular facilities at the heart of the community. 

He was delighted to confirm that former military personnel who apply for jobs with Bridgend County Borough Council are to be guaranteed an interview under new procedures which are being introduced to help them adjust to civilian life.  The move is intended to support local veterans, serving personnel and their families, help them overcome barriers in finding civilian employment, and reduce the risk of health and welfare problems.  Selection procedures will still ensure that the best candidate for the role is appointed, veterans will be provided with an opportunity to demonstrate transferable skills such as leadership, management, problem-solving and more while also developing valuable interview experience.  He stated that this was the latest development progressed as part of the authority’s Armed Forces Community Covenant which brings together public service organisations, local businesses, charities and the voluntary sector to offer appropriate help, support and advice.

Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help

The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help announced that the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales launched a new campaign which Bridgend County Borough Council will be supporting.  Called ‘Every Day Ageism’, it sought to raise awareness of the scale and impact of issues that are faced by older people every single day and designed to challenge ageism and age discrimination, and empower older people to do the same by encouraging residents to report their experiences so they can be challenged by the Commissioner.  He stated that a supporter’s pack is available from the older People Wales website, Members may want to let their constituents know and encourage them to support this very worthy cause.

He also announced that the annual ‘Olympage Games’, designed to develop age-friendly communities and recognise the health and well-being benefits of encouraging older people to be more active is set to take place on Wednesday 5 December at Bridgend Life Centre between 9:30am – 11am, and he was sure it would be another big success.

Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations announced that the Shared Regulatory Service for Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan has won Gold, Silver and Bronze awards at the 2019 RSPCA Paw-Prints initiative.  The service was recognised in three different categories, taking Gold for Stray Dogs, Silver for Animal Activity Licensing and Bronze for Kennelled Dogs.  The awards are designed to recognise achievements in stray dog services, contingency planning, housing policy, animal activity licensing and kennelled dog welfare.  She also congratulated Pontyclun based Hope Rescue, who picked up a gold award for the way they look after kennelled dogs for public bodies in Wales.

She also announced that confirmation had been received that a number of local clubs are to benefit from Welsh Government’s ‘Place For Sport’ investment.  Bridgend Athletics Club has been provided with £50,000 which, together with contributions from the Council, the club and Bridgend Town Council, will be used to replace the 300m running track at Newbridge Fields.

Elsewhere, Nantyffyllon Rugby Football Club has been awarded £25,000, Tondu Target Shooting Club £10,000, and Pencoed Athletic Boys and Girls Club almost £10,000.  With Funk Force Dance Group receiving almost £5,000 and Kenfig Hill and Pyle Bowls Club £4,000, the money will be used to help modernise, protect and create new sports facilities.

Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration announced that Secondary school admissions for September 2020 open earlier this week, and he asked Members to help encourage parents, guardians and carers to make their applications for places online by using the My Account service.  He stated that parents and carers of primary school pupils who are currently in year six will have until 24 January to submit an application.  They will then be notified of the outcome on 2 March.  He stated that further details can be found at the school admissions page of the Council website.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration announced that work was progressing on transforming the former station master’s office for the Porthcawl Railway into all-new modern commercial premises, which was expected to be complete early in 2020. 

He congratulated Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd pupil Owain Lloyd who had obtained 5A Grades at A level.

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive informed Council of an update on Brexit.  He stated that the local media had been briefed, resulting in the Council’s plans being reported in the Gazette.  He informed Council that there is a Risk Tracker in place and there is regular dialogue with the Swansea Bay Port Health Authority and Sea Fisheries Committee.  He urged Members to draw constituents’ attention to the European Union Resettlement Scheme which will enable European Union citizens to continue living in the UK.