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Hello Subscriber,
We have published our draft budget and set out a number of proposals for delivering services in 2024/25.
We’re inviting you to take part in our budget consultation to have your say on the proposals and the services you think we should prioritise over the next financial year.
Your responses will help inform the final proposals that will be presented at a full council meeting for a decision in February 2024.
To make your views known about the 2024-25 council budget, and to find out more about how we spend our budget, please visit our website. The survey closes on Sunday 4 February 2024.
Fill in the survey online at our website or to request a hard copy of the survey, email consultation@bridgend.gov.uk, call 01656 643664.
You can also write to Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB.
Closing date: 4 February 2024
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Our Catering Services our expanding – join our team!
Our catering service is expanding as we continue the roll-out of the Universal Primary Free School Meal initiative to 51 primary schools across the county borough, alongside the current provision for full-time nursery pupils, and primary pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3.
In line with Welsh Government requirements, the programme is scheduled to be rolled out further to Years 4, 5 and 6, therefore we have a number of exciting opportunities available for those who wish to start a career in catering:
- General Kitchen Assistants
- Cooks
- Assistant Cooks
As well as competitive rates of pay, a generous staff pension and term-time only working hours, applicants can also benefit from receiving on-the-job training and qualifications if they would like to progress in their career from a general kitchen assistant to cook.
Emma Bennett, Catering Operational Manager for Bridgend County Borough Council, said: “I started with catering services over 22 years ago as a general kitchen assistant. I decided to work for school meals as a temporary measure until my children were older.
“I quickly realised that I could progress to an assistant cook or cook, as the service was very keen to develop staff with potential. During the years I have received lots of training and development but most importantly support and encouragement.
“Most of the catering management team have developed through the service, all starting their career as general kitchen assistants.”
Please visit our website to find out more about vacancies in the Catering Services.
For more information about the free school meal roll-out being extended to full-time nursery pupils, please head to the latest news section on our website.
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 Flying the flag for Fostering in Bridgend County Borough
In a bid to inspire people to consider fostering, Foster Wales Bridgend has just joined the national campaign, ‘bring something to the table’ - an initiative highlighting how everyone has something to offer those vulnerable young people and children in need of foster homes.
The national network of 22 Welsh local authority fostering teams has set out with the bold aim of recruiting over 800 new foster families by 2026, to provide welcoming homes for local children and young people.
Cllr Jane Gebbie, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health said: "Our local authority foster carers in Bridgend do an incredible job in supporting children, by offering their skills, experience, empathy, and kindness to ensure they feel safe and secure.
“We need to recruit more people in our local authority to guarantee that all fostered children have a welcoming home, and crucially, the right foster carer to match their needs.
“We encourage anyone who wants to make a difference to a child’s life to bring their skills and experience to the table and get in contact with Foster Wales Bridgend.”
For more information about fostering, or for an initial conversation about the support available, please visit the Foster Wales Bridgend Website.
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Don’t miss out: Come and watch Jekyll and Hyde!
Got the January blues?
Why not book to see the upcoming show from Porthcawl Comprehensive School?!
Jekyll and Hyde will be the 45th performance of the school at Awen’s Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl!
It will also be the school’s last at the venue until refurbishments are completed – don’t miss it!
Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson, we can promise you that the thrilling musical will have you mesmerised and on the edge of your seats!
The show runs from Wednesday 24 January to Saturday 27 January.
To book, please visit the Awen box office.
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 StreetSnap app launched to tackle hate graffiti
A new ground-breaking project has been launched to address hate graffiti across the county borough using a newly developed StreetSnap App from Swansea University.
The app allows users to upload images of offensive graffiti to a live database with the precise location and time. The data collected is then reported to relevant departments and partners and the graffiti will be removed within 48 hours by street cleaning teams.
The information will then be stored on a database to offer an insight about specific areas, including any issues, patterns or trends that may be emerging within communities, which can then be addressed by community cohesion professionals.
Funded by a SMART Partnership between Swansea University, Bridgend County Borough Council, and Welsh Government, the app will be used by members of the Bridgend Community Safety Partnership, such as police officers, youth workers and housing officials.
Please visit our website to read more about the StreetSnap App.
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Kenfig Hill Post Office has now officially re-opened!!
Kenfig Hill Post Office has now officially re-opened under new management, restoring the service to the community.
The Post Office is at the same premises as before - 64 Commercial Street, Kenfig Hill, CF33 6DL.
A wide range of retail goods are also on sale following a refit last year.
Postmaster, Ram Ramakrishna, said: “There has been overwhelming support from the community to Kenfig Hill Post Office re-opening.
“There’s real excitement that it has opened. There are so many reasons to visit the branch all year-round sending mail, collecting parcels or home shopping returns, Euros on demand or pre-order for other currencies.
“I’ve also visited local businesses to let them know that we can do personal and business banking on behalf of all the high street banks.”
Kenfig Hill Post Office opening hours are Monday to Saturday: 9am – 1pm & 1.30 – 6pm; Sunday: 10 – 4pm.
Please visit the Post Office website for more information about the service available in Kenfig Hill.
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 Become a Litter Picking Champion!
Lots of volunteers in Bridgend County Borough have been helping to keep their communities tidy and litter free.
Keep Wales Tidy are encouraging people to keep up the good work, providing a range of equipment and support to volunteers, including health and safety guidance.
Litter picking gadgets, hi-vis vests, bin bags and hoops can all be borrowed from litter picking hubs across the county borough where volunteers are also able to record exactly where and when a litter pick took place and how many bags of rubbish were collected online, helping to give an overall picture of the work going on.
For more information on how to become a litter champion, please visit the Keep Wales Tidy 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:
- 23 January- Trinity Church Centre, Porthcawl (CF36 3DT)
- 24 January- Tesco Extra Bridgend (CF31 3SQ)
- 30 January- Bridgend Designer Outlet (CF32 9SU)
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:
- Young Persons Support Worker
- Cleaner- Facilities
- Children’s Residential Worker Hillsboro House
- HGV Technician
- Business Support Apprentice
- Teacher - Cefn Cribwr Primary School - Maternity Leave
Find out more about current vacancies and apply online today.
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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