Staff work around the clock to fight flooding
Recent heavy rainfall saw council staff working throughout the night to distribute sandbags, clear drains and gulleys, and prevent widespread flooding across Bridgend County Borough. Rising levels triggered culvert alarms in areas such as Greenacre and Min Y Nant in Pencoed, but none of the culverts were overwhelmed. A number of gulleys became blocked after rain caused debris to be swept down from fields and neighbouring land, and had to be cleared from roads in Coytrahen, Litchard, Brynmenyn, Aberkenfig and Newton. Crews also had to attend blocked gulleys along the A48 at Stormy Down and the A4093 between Blackmill and Glynogwr, while two routes – Marlas Road at Pyle and New Inn Road in Merthyr Mawr – had to temporarily close due to rising river levels.
Community rallies round to support centre
Residents of Blackmill have rallied round after the local Flying Start hub was targeted by vandals. The centre, which provides high-quality childcare for children aged under four, help with early language development, health advice, access to parenting support and more, had gates torn down, holes knocked through walls and outdoor features destroyed. Now residents have teamed up with Bad Bikes, a charity for young people, to create new gardens and sensory areas at the centre. As well as planting new flowers, herbs and shrubs, they have repaired much of the damage, have carried out a litter pick and have encouraged more people to come and use the centre. In the meantime, CCTV cameras are helping to keep the building safe and any further incidents will be reported to South Wales Police.
Jobs available in catering services
The Catering Services team is urgently looking for cooks, senior dining room assistants, assistant cooks, general kitchen assistants and more to help prepare and serve meals for children at local schools. With benefits ranging from flexible term-time working hours to a staff pension scheme, the Catering Services team offers excellent rates of pay such as £9.50 an hour for a general kitchen assistant. Continuous support is available as well as on-the-job training, and there are plenty of opportunities to study for further qualifications while working. Find out more by visiting the jobs pages at www.bridgend.gov.uk.
Taster sessions with Halo in Maesteg
Maesteg Sports Centre will host a family fun day with free taster sessions on Saturday 9 October. People are invited to come along and try a range of group exercise classes, gym facilities and activities for children. There will be free entry to the centre’s gyms between 8am-1pm and classes in Body Attack from 9.30am-10am, Body Pump and Indoor Cycling 10am-10.30am, Zumba and Body Combat 10.30am-11am, and Yoga and HIIT sessions between 11am-11.30am. Soft play slots will be available throughout the day between 9.30am-1.30pm for children aged up to five, while children aged up to 12 can enjoy a bouncy castle between 11.30am-1.30pm. Classes, gym sessions and activities are open for bookings on the Halo App from 2 October or by calling the centre on 01656 678844.
Helping women get back into work
Gender equality charity Chwarae Teg is offering free online sessions to help unemployed women find new work. The first session, ‘Change your Thinking – Get Results’ is structured to consider issues such as obstacles, setting specific goals, staying motivated and maintaining structure and direction. The second session, ‘Promote yourself and stand out’, looks at how personal branding can help achieve career goals, improve confidence and self-awareness. The third session, ‘Create a winning CV’, focuses on developing a strong résumé that will get you noticed. The final session, ‘Get the interview – get the job’ helps overcome the stress and exposure of the interview process, highlights specific techniques and the best way to answer interview questions. To find out more, visit the www.chwaraeteg.com website.
Join the cleaner streets team
Vacancies are available to join the council’s Cleaner Streets team with roles ranging from general cleansing operatives to sweeper drivers. Anyone who is interested in finding out more can visit the Pertemps Agency for further details.
School shortlisted for top award
Heronsbridge School has made the final shortlist of the 2021 Investors in People Awards. The special school, which caters for a wide range of additional learning needs and includes a Centre for Autism, was shortlisted in the ‘Employer of the Year: Platinum’ category. Heronsbridge will now battle it out with organisations from across the UK at an online final ceremony on 23 November before a winner is announced.
Recycling absorbent hygiene products
Did you know that the council provides a free household service that recycles absorbent hygiene (AHP) products? Every fortnight, we collect items such as absorbent bed sheets, disposable aprons, nappies, wipes and more, and pick them up on the same day as your regular household recycling. To find out how you can register for the AHP service, visit the waste and recycling page of the council website or email [email protected]
Budget consultation underway
All residents are being encouraged to take part in Bridgend County Borough Council’s budget consultation and help shape spending priorities for the coming year. This year’s consultation considers a longer-term vision for the county borough and covers a range of areas including investment in schools, regeneration projects, council tax levels, car park fees, how best to support local business, tourism and the economy, and more. Fill in the survey online before 14 November or order a hard copy by emailing [email protected], calling 01656643664 or writing to Consultation and Engagement, Civic Offices, Angel Street Bridgend, CF31 4WB.
Should local bylaws be rewritten?
Residents of Bridgend County Borough are being urged not to miss their opportunity to take part in a questionnaire on how they think the waters around Porthcawl Harbour should be used in the future. A consultation is underway which seeks to determine if local bylaws dating back to 1953 remain suitable, or whether they need to be updated for modern use. The consultation covers activities such as berthing, navigation, fishing, swimming, diving, parking, use of the lock gates and slipway, shoreline restrictions, waste, safety, security, penalties and more. It also looks at how far watersport activities such as water-skiing, paddle boarding and kayaking should be supported. To find out more, visit the council website.
Childcare survey
Parents and carers who use local childcare services are invited to complete a short survey designed to provide better understanding around local needs – visit the Welsh Government website to find out more.
Wanted – more people to work in social care
The council, Welsh Government and Social Care Wales have launched a new video encouraging more people to work in the social care sector. The WeCare Wales website features jobs across Wales, and you can find out more on Twitter or Facebook. Local roles are available across areas such as home care, reablement, young people’s services and more. Visit the council website or the authority’s Facebook and Twitter pages to find out more.
Start getting ready for winter
With the nights drawing in and the weather starting to turn colder, the Met Office has published 10 important steps to help local people get ready. With tips ranging from how to stay fit and well or keeping your car running to avoiding burst pipes and looking out for vulnerable neighbours, the Met Office website features lots of useful information to help you stay safe this winter.
Mobile testing arrangements
Free mobile testing for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 remains available at the former Revlon site in Maesteg (CF34 9TS) from 9am to 5pm all week, including Saturday and Sunday. This site incorporates both a drive-through testing facility, which must be booked in advance, and a walk-in option where no booking is required. Drive-through testing is also available at Coity and Litchard Community Centre (CF31 1PA) from 9am-5pm, and at the walk-through facility based at the Bowls Hall car park in Angel Street, Bridgend (CF31 4AH) which is available between 8am-8pm – booking for both of these sites is essential. You can arrange appointments by visiting the Welsh Government website or by calling 119 (18001119 for people with hearing or speech difficulties).