Date confirmed for recycling centres
Community recycling centres will reopen in Bridgend County Borough on Tuesday 26 May 2020. The date has been agreed with Welsh Government as part of an all-Wales approach for the safe reopening of recycling sites. The council is working alongside its waste partner Kier to develop procedures, processes and restrictions which will ensure that the sites can be used safely and without exposing staff and users to the Covid-19 coronavirus. It follows recent changes to lockdown requirements in Wales which saw recycling centres temporarily closing as part of the efforts to combat the spread of the pandemic – look out for further details soon.
Last chance for sports club funding
Local sports clubs have until Friday 15 May to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help with day-to-day operating costs during the coronavirus pandemic. The council has reconfigured its £75,000 Bridgend Sports Support Fund – part of the community asset transfer process – to provide immediate financial aid during the outbreak. As part of the grant application, sports clubs will need to submit copies of relevant proof of payments such as invoices, receipts and / or bank statements showing expenditure for the period following 31 March 2020. For more details on the fund or for an application form, email the council’s community asset transfer officer at [email protected]
Remain alert for scammers
The council has been made aware that scammers have been sending fake emails pretending to be from the UK Government (GOV.UK) inviting people to claim a council tax reduction online. If you receive one of these emails, please be aware that this is a scam. Do not click the link, never give out your bank account details, and delete the email.
£26.6m support for local businesses
Business grant funding issued by Bridgend County Borough Council has reached £26.6m with more than 2,165 applications processed. The support is available for businesses that are eligible for small business rates relief in Wales and who occupy premises with a rateable value of £12,000 or less. It also includes those who fall under small business rates relief but who do not currently pay business rates, and retail, leisure or hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £12,001 to £51,000. Applications can be made by completing the online form.
Don’t miss deadline for carer support
The deadline for applying for emergency grants in support of unpaid carers affected by the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis expires on Monday 18 May 2020. The grants are aimed at eligible carers aged 16 and over who provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without support. It provides up to £300 to help cover costs incurred as a result of the ongoing pandemic, such as purchasing food and essential household items, emergency home repairs that cannot wait for lockdown restrictions to be lifted, transport costs for essential journeys, and the purchase of a laptop, tablet, software, mobile phone or data allowance. Applications must be completed by midday Monday 18 May 2020, and application forms are available at the Carers Trust South East Wales website.