(i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

(iv) Monitoring Officer

Mayor:

The Mayor informed Council of the engagements which he had undertaken since his Inauguration, which included attending the Maesteg Festival and attending Porthcawl YMCA to mark the 175^th Birthday of the National organisation.  His proudest moment so far came at the Young Enterprise Company Wales Finals at the University of South Wales Cardiff, where he met pupils from Archbishop McGrath Comprehensive School and learned about their business ‘Archways’, which is an essential oil scented revision tool.  The pupils won the overall Wales final and will now progress to represent Wales in the UK final of Young Enterprise.  The Mayor wished the pupils the very best of luck.

Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader announced that the Council is marking today’s National Refill Day, which aims to cut down on single-use plastic by encouraging restaurants, cafes and businesses to offer customers a free refill on a reusable bottle.  Businesses can register online at refill.org.uk, while people can download an app which shows them where they can fill up their reusable bottles. 

He also informed Members of reports concerning two men trying to impersonate the new 3GS enforcement litter officers, by demanding instant cash payments for supposed littering offences.  He urged the public to watch out for the scam and stated that the enforcement officers always wear official ID badges and lanyards and never ask for a cash payment.  Enforcement officers issue a ticket which details the offence and giving payment options. 

The Deputy Leader informed Members of two Community Asset Transfer projects.  Firstly, the all-new skate park at Pencoed, which is drawing a lot of visitors.  The £59,000 project is the result of a partnership between the authority and Pencoed Town Council.  Secondly, Bryncethin Rugby Club has undergone a £550,000 transformation to become a new community centre, which is the result of hard work by the Club with support from the Community Asset Transfer team.  Both projects have been delivered for the benefit of their local communities. 

Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help

The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help informed Members that the carers choir, Off Duty have marked carers week by releasing their first charity single and video.  He stated that the choir was formed to give local carers a chance to have time for themselves and to socialise.  The choir has been set up with support from the Council, Awen Cultural Trust and the Bridgend Carers Centre.

He was delighted to see a new initiative called ‘Super-Agers’ for improving the mental and physical health of older adults receiving a share of £5.4m funding.  The scheme is designed to establish a regional physical activity programme for adults aged 50 plus to help them live active, healthy lifestyles while reducing pressure on support services.  The scheme is one of 17 projects to benefit from the Healthy and Active Fund set up by the Welsh Government, Sport Wales and Public Health Wales.

Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations announced that the former Spar shop and space above the job centre in Commercial Street in Maesteg is to be transformed with the development of 12 accommodation units, due to an empty properties grant of £105k.  The accommodation will create more opportunities for people to live within town centres and are aimed at people of all ages who are employed, who have no significant support needs and no known anti-social behaviour or drug and alcohol histories.  The grant funding further obliges the project to meet all Rent Smart Wales requirements and are to be let and managed by a responsible landlord. 

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive announced that the annual electoral canvass would commence next week, in that text messages will be issued to householders advising of the canvass and encouraging them to respond with their details.  He reassured Members that the text messages will be sent by an organisation called i-Dox, with the first phase ending on 7 July.  Canvass forms will be delivered by staff between 7 July and 4 August, with the second stage delivered by mail on 27 August.  The third and final stage will run from 28 September to 1 November.

He also informed Members that Kier have announced that the company will be focusing its efforts on construction and road maintenance.  Officers are liaising closely with Kier seeking further clarification following their announcement. He stated that the Council has responded to the BBC and social media requests to highlight that the recycling and waste collection service is currently the second-highest performing in Wales and to reassure residents they will not experience any immediate changes to the recycling and waste collection service.  The Chief Executive informed Members that there is a seven year contract in place with Kier, which includes safeguards such as bonds which could be used to ensure there is a continuation of service and that any eventual transition would include an appropriate lead-in time and plenty of notice would be provided of issues of any significance.                    

Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer requested that Members note a change to the membership of the Standards Committee in that Councillor P Davies will replace Councillor DRW Lewis.