Mobile testing in Bridgend County Borough
The mobile testing facility located at the Richard Price Centre in Llangeinor has now moved. Between 5-12 November, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed that a walk-in mobile service will be available from the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl between 9am-5pm, seven days a week. With no need to book an appointment, residents who are symptomatic can call in and wait to be seen. A drive-through facility will also be available between 5-8 November, but this will require appointments to be booked in advance. Please only attend if you are showing symptoms of coronavirus such as a high temperature, a new persistent cough, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell. Under no circumstances should anyone visiting the test centre use the occasion to also visit a local shop or business.
Stay safe on Bonfire Night
As outdoor gatherings are not able to take place during the fire-break lockdown, organised activities around Bonfire Night cannot go ahead this year. Instead, residents are being asked to mark the occasion safely at home, and to observe all rules designed to keep people safe. This includes not meeting indoors with people who are not from the same household, not trick-or-treating, wearing face coverings, observing social distancing and hand hygiene, etc. You can find out more about how to celebrate safely by visiting the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service website.
Road improvements resume after Storm Aiden
A £2.25m repair and refurbishment programme for local roads, footpaths and bridges has resumed after being temporarily suspended due to heavy rainfall and high winds experienced during Storm Aiden. Bridgend County Borough Council and contractors agreed to a temporary pause when the severe weather conditions prevented work from progressing at Cae Wallis in Bridgend town centre. While new arrangements are being made for Cae Wallis, the work has started again at Bedford Road in Cefn Cribwr. By the time that the multi-million pound project is completed, 44 local roads, eight footways and two bridges in communities located throughout the county borough will have been refurbished, resurfaced and improved.
Council welcomes new chief constable
County Borough Council has welcomed the appointment of Jeremy Vaughan as Chief Constable of South Wales Police. The appointment was announced this week by the Police and Crime Panel for South Wales, which is chaired by Councillor Richard Young. Council Leader Huw David was also part of the panel which interviewed candidates for the role.
Clarification on 30 days
Bridgend County Borough Council has issued further clarification about the length of time required for the processing of non-domestic and discretionary lockdown grants after receiving enquiries and comments on social media. The guidance provided by Welsh Government states that all applications received will be acknowledged within 10 working days, and that grant finalised applications will be processed within 30 days of receipt. While this is the standard period set by Welsh Government, the majority of applications are being processed much more quickly than this. To avoid delays or rejections, it is vitally important for businesses to ensure that they provide all of the information requested, and that they ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Change in food parcel deliveries
With pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 now back in school along with infant, junior, primary and special school pupils, the numbers of eligible pupils receiving a food parcel at home have reduced this week. Containing enough food items to provide breakfast and lunch for a child for five days, the parcels will be delivered in Cwmfelin, Garth, Llangynwyd, Maesteg, Nantyffyllon, Caerau, Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, Pantyrawel, Lewistown, Blackmill, Evanstown, Gilfach Goch, Blaengarw, Pontycymer, Llangeinor, Braich-Y-Cymer, Price Town, Pantygog, Pontyrhyl, Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cefn Cribwr, North Cornelly, South Cornelly, Nottage, Newton, Porthcawl, Aberkenfig, Bettws, Coytrahen, Brynmenyn, Tondu, Sarn, Bryncethin, Bryncoch and Ynysawdre on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, the parcels will be delivered to Coity, Litchard, Wildmill, Penyfai, Cefn Glas, Broadlands, Bryntirion, Brackla, Trelales, Penprysg, Pencoed, Coychurch, Heol Y Cyw and Rhiwceiliog.
Update on lost cargo
Debris and cargo shed by five 40-foot long containers lost from a cargo ship in the Bristol Channel has been removed from the coastline of Bridgend County Borough. While the majority of the containers were empty when they were lost, some contained non-hazardous absorbent tissue products such as nappies. The council has worked alongside partners such as landowners and the Maritime Coastguard Agency to collect the debris and cargo so it can be returned to its owners.
Communities urged not to relax
As Wales enters the second week of the national fire-break lockdown, communities across Bridgend County Borough are being thanked for their efforts and urged to keep up the good work. Residents are being encouraged to consider their behaviours, actions and attitudes once the Welsh lockdown finishes on Monday 9 November to ensure that the hard work and sacrifice of the lockdown is not undone.
Second week of fire-break lockdown
Welsh Government has confirmed that a number of additional measures will remain in place once the fire-break lockdown ends on Monday 9 November. People will need to continue to maintain two-metre social distancing and wear face masks in enclosed public places, including while using public transport and taxis. The requirement to work from home whenever possible will remain in place, as will the two-household limit of forming ‘bubbles’. While up to 15 people will be able to take part in organised indoors activities and up to 30 in organised outdoor activities, all social distancing, hand hygiene and other coronavirus safety measures must be followed. All premises which closed during the fire-break – such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and gyms – will be able to reopen. People should continue to avoid non-essential travel, but there will be no legal restrictions on travel within Wales for Welsh residents. All schools, churches, places of worship and community centres will be able to open again on Monday 9 November, and community recycling centres in Bridgend County Borough will reopen as normal. The council website offers a range of support around the coronavirus pandemic, including a serious of frequently asked questions, and you can also visit the Welsh Government website.
No change for train times
Great Western Railway has confirmed that its current timetable will not change during the national lockdown that has been declared for England. To support people in travelling safely, new guidance has been added to the GWR website.
Have your say on council’s budget
Residents in Bridgend County Borough are being asked to help shape the local authority’s spending priorities over the coming year with the council’s annual budget consultation. This year’s consultation is focused on the longer-term vision for the county borough following the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey covers areas such as the pandemic response, businesses and the local economy, health and well-being, council tax levels, customer access to the civic offices and more. Responses will be used to inform the medium term financial strategy for 2021/22 – 2024/25, and residents have until 13 December to take part – you can do so by visiting the council website or requesting a hard copy by emailing [email protected], calling 01656 643664 or writing to the Consultation Team, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend CF31 4WB. Easy-read, large print and youth versions are available.
Remembrance events in Bridgend County Borough
Remembrance events will be marked in different ways across Bridgend County Borough for 2020. Many of the traditional local events organised by town and community councils will not be taking place this year because of the need to limit potential exposure to the coronavirus, maintain social distancing and avoid people from gathering in large numbers. Instead, residents have been encouraged to stand upon their doorstep at 11am on Sunday 8 November to mark the two-minute silence from home, and to watch televised broadcasts of national remembrance services. On behalf of the people of Bridgend County Borough, the council is working alongside Great Western Railway to arrange for a wreath to be transported to London Paddington where it will be included as part of a national display.
Guidance offered on remembrance events
Town and community councils have confirmed that while no public remembrance events will be taking place this year, some smaller ceremonies have been arranged. To find out more on what remembrance events are being held this year, please contact your local town or community council for further details.
Plans for new Welsh medium school
Bridgend County Borough Council has issued further clarification over its plans for establishing a new Welsh-medium primary school in the area following discussion and speculation around what the project involves, and where the school is going be sited. The authority is committed towards providing a brand new Welsh medium primary school as part of its ongoing multi-million pound programme of investing in modern educational facilities. Survey work has been carried out at Brackla Hill as part of a feasibility study while other potential alternative locations are also being explored. A report on the findings will be delivered in 2021, following which a site will be announced and a full public consultation process will be held. The council is also planning to provide a new English medium primary school at the site of the existing Bro Ogwr school.
Contacting the council
The Customer Service Centre at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend remains closed to the public. Residents are asked to use the online My Account and Oggie webchat facilities, or to email [email protected] or call 01656 643643.