|
|
Hello Subscriber
Welsh Government has confirmed that new pandemic arrangements will be in place from 6pm on Friday 4 December 2020 across Wales along with a £340m package of business support.
Designed to stop the spread of coronavirus following a recent increase in positive cases, the new measures will require pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes to stop serving alcohol entirely. They must also close by 6pm, although they can still provide takeaway services.
With indoor entertainment and visitor attractions such as cinemas, bingo halls, soft play centres and amusement arcades also set to close until further notice, £340m is being made available to support businesses affected by the new changes.
Find out more about the new pandemic arrangements.
|
|
£340m extra coronavirus support for businesses
Welsh Government has announced an extra £340m to support businesses affected by tougher coronavirus restrictions.
This will provide support direct to the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector. This will support tens of thousands of businesses and help protect many more jobs and livelihoods.
This will be divided between two funds - a £160m Restrictions Business Fund, and a £180m sector-specific Economic Resilience Fund grant scheme. More information about the funding and how it can be accessed will be provided by Business Wales soon.
Find out more about £340m extra coronavirus support for businesses.
|
|
Update on Covid-19 cases in schools
We have released the latest figures on the numbers of pupils and staff who have tested positive for coronavirus.
The latest statistics confirm 28 percent of all schools in the county borough are currently affected by the pandemic. In total 22 pupils and 15 members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19 with 1,763 pupils and 62 staff members currently in self-isolation across 17 schools.
All schools have a full range of measures in place to reduce risk, limit contact and maintain high standards of hygiene, and unaffected pupils can continue to attend lessons as normal.
Read more about Covid-19 cases in Bridgend County Borough schools
|
|
Mobile Covid-19 testing for Bridgend County Borough
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed that mobile coronavirus testing facilities in Bridgend County Borough are moving.
The drive-through facility currently available at the Bowls Hall car park of Bridgend Life Centre will close at 5pm on Thursday 3 December.
It will then move to the site of the former Revlon / Cosi factory off Oakwood Drive in Maesteg (CF34 8TS) where it will be available from Friday 4 December between 9am-4pm, including on weekends.
Find out more about using mobile testing facilities in Bridgend County Borough.
|
|
Free Christmas parking in Bridgend County Borough
Shoppers, visitors and traders across Bridgend County Borough will be able to take advantage of free car parking this Christmas.
Starting on Saturday 5 December, in Bridgend parking will be free after 10am at the council-run Rhiw and Cheapside multi-storeys, the car park behind Wilkinsons, at Tremains Road and at Tondu Road. In Porthcawl, it will be free after 10am at John Street and at Hillsboro Place.
As part of our ongoing support for traders during the coronavirus pandemic, the free parking will be available until Thursday 31 December and joins the free facilities that are already available at Maesteg and Pencoed.
Read more about free Christmas parking in Bridgend County Borough
|
|
Are you a freelancer in Bridgend County Borough?
Phase 3 of the Freelancer Fund will close on Monday 7 December at 5pm.
The purpose of the grant is to support freelancers in the cultural and creative sectors facing financial challenges in the period from April 2020 - March 2021.
Check your eligibility and apply online for the Freelancer Fund.
|
|
Are you prepared for the end of the EU transition period in January?
Now that the UK has left the EU, there will be new rules for businesses and citizens from January 1 2021.
This will mean changes to the current rules on trading and the right to travel without visas to other EU countries.
We know what a difficult year 2020 has been, but there are vital steps that need to be taken now - whether or not a deal is agreed.
Make sure you’re ready for the end of the EU transition.
|
|
Step into Bridgend County Borough’s Digital Christmas
The most wonderful time of the year is going digital in Bridgend County Borough!
Our digital Christmas festival is underway and Santa is on hand to help you #ShopLocal with our all-new Digital Christmas website and App!
You’ll find lots of discount vouchers and competitions from local businesses in and around the Maesteg, Porthcawl and Bridgend areas.
To get involved with all of the festive fun online, visit the Bridgend Digital Christmas Festival website.
|
|
 Bridgend makes top five for house sales and happiness
With bustling towns, excellent commuter links and beautiful beaches and valleys, Bridgend County Borough has been named the second-fastest place in the UK for house sales.
Analysis by Zoopla has revealed that properties have offers accepted within an average of 24 days, with three-bedroom semi-detached houses and those priced between £100,000 - £150,000 the most popular.
The county borough has also been named the fifth happiest in Wales by Rightmove after scoring highly on the 'Happy at Home' index, which asks residents to rate where they live based on measures such as community spirit, a sense of belonging, friendly and polite people, sports and cultural activities, local services and amenities, nature, green spaces and more.
Read more about Bridgend making top five for house sales and happiness
|
|
Super-Agers project to be showcased at conference
An innovative council-led project aimed at getting older people to be more active is set to be showcased at a conference this week.
The Super-Agers project, which aims to get older people to be more active, will be highlighted at the Bevan Exemplar Showcase next week. The Super-Agers scheme has been developing a regional physical activity programme for adults aged 50+.
In the early stages of the project, 239 older adults engaged in activities at 12 locations, supported by 70 social care students from Bridgend College. After the outbreak of Covid-19, Active@Home methods were developed including resource packs, activity books and telephone mentoring.
Find out more about Super-Agers project.
|
|
Pupils urge residents to keep Brackla tidy
A pupil from Brackla is helping to encourage residents to keep their community tidy.
Seven-year-old Kaja Mikluszewska, who goes to Brackla Primary School, designed a poster to change people’s attitudes towards litter in their communities, and was picked as the winner from more than 500 entries.
The Brackla…Love it, don’t trash it! campaign is a collaboration between Bridgend County Borough Council, Keep Wales Tidy and Brackla Community Council, together with SeaQuest.
Kaja’s poster has now been made into signs, which will be displayed on streets around Brackla to encourage people not to drop litter and to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Find out more about the Love it, don’t trash it campaign.
|
|
Have you ever thought about fostering?
Fostering is a vital role that can get a child through a difficult time in their lives.
Your love and support can make a huge difference to their life – and to yours.
Join our virtual information sessions to find out more about the difference you can make in a child’s life.
In these confidential sessions, you will have the opportunity to meet experienced foster carers, learn about fostering, hear about the support and training from members of Bridgend Fostering Team and ask any questions you may have.
Join us on:
Wednesday 27 January 2021 at 6pm
OR
Sunday 31 January 2021 at 10am
Email: bridgendfostercare@bridgend.gov.uk to obtain your code to join the session.
|
|
Bakers Way are recruiting a 16-hour and an 18-hour Residential Care Worker/Driver
The respite service in Bridgend provides short-term respite care for children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs from birth to 18 years old.
The ideal candidate will be caring and enthusiastic, putting the children and young people at the centre of everything they do.
Find out more about the Bakers Way vacancy and apply now
Harwood House are recruiting a 28-hour Maternity Cover Residential Worker/Driver
The service enables children and young people (8-19 years old) with complex needs who are unable to reside with their families to continue attending their specialist school and remain living locally.
The ideal candidate will be able to show a commitment to and experience of working with young people.
Find out more about the Harwood House vacancy and apply online.
|
|
Western Bay Adoption Service #FirstFamilyChristmas campaign
Your first family Christmas together, a magical time of creating moments and memories that will last forever. The first smell of fresh pine in the living room, your child seeing their reflection on shiny Christmas baubles, the wide eyed wonder of your local Christmas parade - the excitement of pretty presents being unravelled, rooms filled with giggles, paper and ribbons everywhere - a marvellous mess!
There are children waiting to be adopted into loving homes right now in Western Bay, please reach out to us over the festive period for a chat about this. Your next Christmas could be much different to this one.
For more information please visit westernbayadoption.org or email enquiries@westernbayadoption.org or call 0300 365 2222
|
|
|
|
|
