The Leader reported that today marks BCBC’s Chief Executive’s last meeting of Council, and he was sure that all colleagues would want to wish Mr. Darren Mepham well in his new role as Chief Executive for Barnet and Southgate College in North London.

Alongside Members, Darren had provided strategic leadership for the authority for over 6 years since he was first employed by the Council in 2012.

This period has been largely defined by the hardest financial climates that we have ever experienced, but with a strong and experienced senior management team behind him, Darren had proven to be more than up to the task of meeting the challenge head-on.

Whether it has been collaborative working arrangements with neighbouring Councils, or driving forward wide scale organisational change, Darren had of course overseen a wide range of developments during his time here.

The Leader added that he was grateful to Darren for the support and sage advice he had given not just him, but all Members, and he knew he would be just as successful in his new role.

We had also seen the Constituency Assembly Member for Bridgend step down as First Minister and the Leader wished to publicly thank him. As the Leader of the opposition, Conservative Assembly Member, Paul Davies said in his tribute, Carwyn had carried out his duty, with “dedication and devotion.”

He was sure that Members would join him in wishing the new First Minister, Mark Drakeford, every success. He also welcomed the appointment of a  new Minister for Local Government, Julie James AM and looked forward to resetting that relationship between local government and Welsh Government.

As one door closes, another opens, and that was certainly the case in BCBC’s ongoing school modernisation programme.

As the year draws to a close, we were also saying goodbye to Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw, and are welcoming the all-new Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon Y Cymoedd.

The school will shut its doors at its Pontcymmer premises for the last time this week, and will begin 2019 at its all-new premises adjacent to Betws Primary.

Any Member who has had the privilege of seeing that new school will already know what the pupils can expect. It has been constructed as a mirror image of its new neighbour, which was also opened just a few short months ago.

The old school premises served its community well for a number of years in different ways, including as a Grammar and Comprehensive School, but it had reached the end of its very long life.

The stunning new premises have been built as part of our Band A School Modernisation Programme, and offers state of the art educational facilities fit for the 21^st century.

The Leader was looking forward to the official opening of the new school, and to watching it become a foundation for the growth of Welsh medium education education in the Ogmore and Garw Valleys.

The Leader on behalf of both Cabinet and Council, took the opportunity of wishing all Members and Officers a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas, and thanked them for all their support in 2018 which he knew would continue moving forward into the future.