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Hello Subscriber,
Plans to relocate Bridgend College to the heart of the town centre have made significant progress with the demolition of the old police station now being close to completion.
The demolition contractors are now entering the final stages of the works, which are due to be completed in the coming weeks.
The site at Cheapside, forms a key part of the council’s regeneration plans for the town centre and represents an investment of around £60 million into the skills and training of both young people and members of the community who need opportunities to retrain and gain valuable employability skills.
The college plan to create a net-zero carbon building, with 21st century learning and teaching facilities for post-16 further and higher education in Bridgend, with community benefits including a 200-seat theatre space, a coffee shop and flexible meeting spaces.
The investment, which is part funded by Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, will see the site leased to Bridgend College, enabling its relocation from the existing Cowbridge Road site.
For more information on the demolition, please visit our website.
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 Bank holiday waste and recycling collection plans confirmed
We would like to remind residents of our bank holiday waste and recycling arrangements.
There will be no collections on Monday 29 May and as a result all collections next week will be one day later than usual until Saturday 03 June.
Please place your recycling and waste at your property’s edge by 7am on your collection day.
For more information on waste and recycling collections, please visit our website.
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 Community Hubs trial underway in the Ogmore and Garw Valleys
A community hub pilot scheme is now underway in the Garw and Ogmore Valleys so residents can receive support on a selected number of services right on their doorstep.
Currently until the end of July 2023, Customer Service Advisors will be based at Halo’s Garw Valley Life Centre in Pontycymer every Wednesday between 10am and 1.30pm, and Halo’s Ogmore Valley Life Centre in Ogmore Vale every Thursday between 10am and 1.30pm.
Residents should note that the support available in the hubs is limited to the below:
- Blue badge queries and applications
- Housing/homelessness applications
- Council tax account queries
- Reporting issues for:
- Highways – street lighting, potholes etc.
- Waste – fly-tipping, graffiti, dog fouling etc.
- Pest control (within their own property)
For all other matters, residents are advised to visit our website for more information or to use the council’s digital self-service options. Alternatively, residents can phone the council on 01656 643643.
The same support is also available at all Awen staffed libraries throughout the county borough. Individuals can find their nearest Awen Library on their website.
Cllr Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, said: “It’s really pleasing to be working in partnership with Halo and Awen to offer residents the chance to receive support in their local areas.
“This further support offered to our valleys reiterates the council’s commitment to the county borough as a whole.
“To avoid any wasted journeys, I would like to remind residents to check the services offered before attending. It’s also important to note that many common queries can be dealt with via the council’s online ‘My Account’ service.”
Dates for June job fairs…
Our HR team and a number of service areas will be available at the following events to promote lots of opportunities within the council:
- 6 June, 10am to 12pm at Maesteg 7777 Rugby Club, Maesteg CF34 9DS
- 28 June, 9.15am to 2.30pm at Halo Leisure Centre, Bridgend CF31 4AH
These events will offer the chance to discuss apprentice opportunities, as well as highlight the many benefits associated with working for the council.
To view our current vacancies, please visit our jobs page.
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Community Learning: Virtual courses available!!
Our Adult Community Learning team have a variety of virtual learning courses available.
This new range of e-learning courses allows you to access and study at your own pace, anywhere.
The current courses available include:
- Allergen Awareness - 90 minutes (Free)
- Fire Marshal Training - 30 minutes (Free)
- The World of Wines - 90 minutes (Free)
- Basic Bookkeeping - 90 minutes (Free)
- Planning a Powerful Presentation - 34 minutes (Free)
- Project Management Essentials - 30 minutes (Free)
- Level 2 Award Control of Substances Hazardous to Health COSHH (RQF) - 5 hours (£32.00)
To view the full list of courses and to register, please visit our website.
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 Have your say: Annual Director of Social Services Report
To help us evaluate our social care services, we have created four short questionnaires and are asking residents to complete the one which is most relevant to them.
Every year the Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing must complete and publish their Annual Report which evaluates the performance of the local authority in relation to the delivery of its social services functions over the past year.
It is important we receive regular feedback to help us improve the services and support we are able to provide.
The questionnaires include the following:
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Adult Social Care - for those aged 18+ that have experience of adult social care in Bridgend.
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Children and Young People - for those children and young people aged 8 to 17 that have experience of children’s social care in Bridgend.
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Carers - for the unpaid carers of adults, children or young people that have experience of adult or children’s social care services in Bridgend.
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Parents - for the parents of children and young people who have experience of children’s social care in Bridgend.
The consultation is due to close on 9 June 2023.
Please visit our website for more information and to share your thoughts.
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 Porthcawl pupils blaze the trail all the way to Cambridge debating finals!
With no prior experience of a public speaking competition, four pupils from Porthcawl Comprehensive School navigated their way through unchartered territory all the way to the finals of a national public speaking competition.
In the final 12 out of 425 schools, the pupils were not just representing the only Welsh school, but also the only comprehensive school at the national finals, held in Churchill College, Cambridge. They found themselves before a range of judges, including the great grandson of Winston Churchill, Randolph Churchill!
Ella, one of the Porthcawl team, said: “It was so incredible to be a part of something that felt so out of our league, yet we managed to do so well and get so far.”
The ESU Public Speaking Competition involved several stages, including the Regional Final in Stanwell, where Ella won Best Questioner and Wil, Best Chair. Winning the Regional Final meant they were awarded the Morgan Shield, as well as a pathway to ‘Finals Day’ in Churchill College, Cambridge.
Councillor Jon Paul Blundell, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “What a fantastic achievement! To be the only team representing a Welsh school, as well as a comprehensive school at the finals of the ESU Public Speaking Competition is an amazing accomplishment – we are all extremely proud of our Porthcawl Comprehensive School team!
“I am certain that this is an experience that the pupils will remember forever! Thank you to the teachers who have encouraged and supported these learners to grow in this way.”
Please visit our website to read more about this incredible achievement.
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Join our Citizen’s Panel!
People of all ages, races and genders are invited to join the council’s Citizen’s Panel and the local authority are particularly interested in hearing from younger people aged 16 to 30 years old.
The Citizens’ Panel is made up of a group of people who live in Bridgend County Borough and are regularly consulted on services run by the council.
Some recent consultations include Public Spaces Protection Orders, annual council budget consultation, Net Zero Carbon consultation, town centre masterplan and more.
Members of the panel can receive up to three surveys per year on a range of topics, services, and issues, as well as receiving regular newsletters to keep them updated.
By becoming a member of the panel, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts on matters surrounding Bridgend County Borough and help to make a difference in our community.
Find out more and join our Citizen’s Panel on our website.
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 Give blood and save lives!
The need for blood has never been more important. Can you help? Welsh Blood Service need more people from the Bridgend area to sign up as donors to help patients across Wales.
Appointments are available at:
The Heronston Hotel (CF35 5AW) on:
And
Asda Bridgend on:
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.
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 We are recruiting!
We have several exciting job opportunities available and are currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Premises Manager - Coety Primary School
- Business Administrative Apprentice
- Mobile Response Care Worker
- Team Leader- Building Control
- Resettlement Officer
- Health and Safety Technical Advisor
Sign up to our new weekly jobs bulletin to be the first to know about our latest job opportunities.
The bulletin will be sent straight to your inbox, all you need to do is sign up online.
Find out more and sign up online today!
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Emergency support is available
We would also like to remind residents that a range of emergency support continues to be available:
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