Latest News from Bridgend County Borough Council – 7 November 2023

Progress on the re-development of Maesteg Town Hall

Work on the redevelopment of Maesteg Town Hall continues, with the second fix of mechanical and electrical services, plus door and skirting installation being carried out throughout the building in recent weeks.

The interior decoration plan for the studio space on Talbot Street is currently being finalised. While the final gas and water supplies are now installed, the heating system is expected to be turned on in the next couple of weeks in time for the winter period. Also, progress has been made in the kitchen, bar, and servery (back of house) installations.

 

New schedule for work on tennis courts at Griffin Park

Work on the installation of two new tennis courts at Griffin Park in Porthcawl has been slightly delayed while a formal site access point for contractors is installed.

The access point, which will include new dropped kerbs, is required so that the contractors can safely move heavy machinery and equipment on and off the site while minimising inconvenience for local residents and businesses.

Designed to provide local communities with access to modern tennis facilities and encourage more people to take up the sport as a way of improving their health and wellbeing, the new courts at Griffin Park mark the final phase of an overall £520,000 project.

They follow similar facilities that have already been provided at locations throughout Bridgend County Borough including Maesteg Welfare Park, Heol-Y-Cyw and Caedu Park in Ogmore Vale.

The new tennis courts will be constructed on the former bowls green close to Griffin Park Community Centre to ensure that they are not affected by other regeneration proposals which seek to double the size of the park and redevelop much of the surrounding area, including the current tennis courts which are due to be decommissioned.

Once constructed, the new courts will feature all-new surfacing, nets and fencing, improved gate and access systems, and freshly painted courts. They are being installed as part of a partnership between Bridgend County Borough Council, Porthcawl Town Council and the Lawn Tennis Association.

 

Cllr John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “While the installation of a formal access point will cause a very short delay to the start of work, it will also prove to be far more convenient and will help to minimise disruption during the construction of the new tennis courts.

“A new schedule is currently being finalised for the project, which is investing more than £191,000 into the Griffin Park phase to ensure that the community of Porthcawl can continue to enjoy and benefit from modern tennis facilities.

“I would like to thank Porthcawl Town Council and the Lawn Tennis Association for their support in delivering these new facilities for the area.”

 

New video to showcase county borough’s thriving Welsh-medium education provision

A new video has been launched to showcase Bridgend County Borough’s Welsh-medium education journey which includes parent and baby groups, schools, and lots of extra-curricular opportunities. The video plays a key part in promoting our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and the official launch of the video took place at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd today (26 October).

The council is committed to supporting Welsh Government to achieve its ‘Cymraeg 2050’ target of reaching one million Welsh speakers and are working closely with a range of partners to ensure an increase to the number of learners receiving a Welsh-medium education. Please visit our website for more information about Welsh-medium education.

The video is now available for viewing on our YouTube page.

 

Free concessionary travel card reminder

If your primary address is in Wales and you’re either aged 60 and over or meet the Government’s disability eligibility criteria, you can travel for free on most bus services in Wales and the borders while also receiving a discount or free travel on many rail services.

Concessionary Travel cards are issued by Transport for Wales. Applying online via their website is the quickest and easiest way for you to receive your travel card.

If you qualify for a Concessionary Travel Card, but cannot travel by bus without needing someone else’s help, then you may be eligible to be assessed for a Disabled Person’s with Companion Concessionary Travel Card.

Visit the council website for more information on how to obtain a free concessionary travel card.

Please contact publictransport@bridgend.gov.uk or phone (01656) 642559 for further details.

 

Have your say: Engagement and Participation Strategy Consultation

The council would like to hear your views and observations regarding our new draft Engagement and Participation Strategy. We have a duty to engage effectively with the people of

Bridgend County Borough and we believe that good engagement is the responsibility of everyone who works for the Council. Communication is two-way process and our new strategy sets out how we will do this going forward.

Please read the above strategy and then feedback to us by completing the following survey on our website.

 

Free Adult Community Learning courses this November

Adult Community Learning have a variety of FREE virtual courses on offer this November.

E-learning courses allow you to study at your own pace and at a place of your choice.

Some of the upcoming courses include:

  • Communication skills
    • Understanding Diabetes
    • Employability basics
    • Writing a CV
    • Understanding Epilepsy
    • Hospitality Customer Service Skills
    • Interview techniques

For more information or to register, please email adultlearning@bridgend.gov.uk or phone 01656 642746.

A full list of courses is available to view on our website.

 

Latest on road resurfacing programme

The council would like to remind residents of some upcoming road resurfacing works.

During the works some road closures will be in place to enable the works to be completed in a safe manner.  Please note that the resurfacing of Merthyr Mawr Road (Bridgend) has been postponed until Spring 2024.

Some of the upcoming works include:

  • A48 Picton Court: 1 – 6 November 2023 (Overnight)
  • Woodland Avenue (Porthcawl): 8 – 10 November 2023

 

A full list of planned resurfacing works is available on the council’s website.

 

All works are weather dependent, and dates are subject to change.

 

Give blood and save lives

Appointments are available at:

  • 13 November- Asda Bridgend (CF31 3AU)
  • 14 November- Tesco Maesteg (CF34 9DS)

 

Please be advised that if you have recently had a Covid-19 vaccination, then you must wait two days before making a blood donation. Book your appointment to help save lives today.