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Hello Subscriber,
Bridgend County Borough Council’s new Leader and Cabinet have been confirmed at an annual meeting of Council earlier this week (Wednesday 15 May).
Councillor John Spanswick, who is a previous Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, was elected as the new Council Leader, with Councillor Jane Gebbie retaining her position as Deputy Leader.
His appointment follows the recent decision by Councillor Huw David to step down from the role after more than eight years of leading the authority.
The following Cabinet positions were also confirmed for the year ahead:
- Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Wellbeing – Cllr Jane Gebbie
- Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance – Cllr Hywel Williams
- Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services – Cllr Martyn Jones
- Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment – Cllr Paul Davies
- Cabinet Member for Resources (Job Share) – Cllr Eugene Caparros / Cllr Melanie Evans
- Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing – Cllr Neelo Farr
Cllr Heather Griffiths will succeed Cllr William Kendall as Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, while Cllr Huw David will act as Deputy Mayor.
Please visit our website for more information about the new Leader and Cabinet.
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Unsung heroes honoured by outgoing Mayor of Bridgend County Borough
Cllr William Kendall completed his term as Mayor of Bridgend County Borough by recognising the fantastic contributions of volunteers, charity champions and other pillars of the community in this year’s Mayor’s Citizenship Awards.
The annual awards are organised by Bridgend County Borough Council to shine a light on those who go the extra mile for the benefit of others.
Amongst the 13 winners are a support group for Ukrainian refugees in Maesteg, a volunteer from the RNLI who recently celebrated 50 years of service and a local man who dressed up as Spiderman whilst running the streets to raise money for good causes.
The individual winners are: David White, Lisa Pritchard, Maxine Huntley, Philip Missen and Richard Durston
The group winners are: Baobab Bach CIC Community Pantries, Barc Community Outreach Centre, Bargains Galore, Coity Festivals, Family Breakfast Pyle, Greenspace SOS, Safe Haven Maesteg and Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team
To read more about all the winners, please visit our website.
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Universal primary free school meals to be extended to Year 5 pupils
From next month (3 June), Year 5 pupils in Bridgend County Borough will be eligible for free school meals, as the Universal Primary Free School Meal initiative continues to be rolled out to even more learners.
Eligibility for Year 5 and 6 pupils was originally proposed from September 2024. However, the hard work offered by the catering service means that the scheme will be available sooner for Year 5 learners and will start following the Whitsun half-term break.
As scheduled, the provision will be accessible to Year 6 pupils at the start of the new school year in September, when all primary school pupils will be eligible for a free school meal.
The initiative was launched by Welsh Government in 2022 to help families ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis and almost 11,000 pupils in schools throughout the county borough are now able to receive a free school meal.
We are also currently recruiting for catering staff, please visit our website for more information about current job opportunities.
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 It’s Foster Care Fortnight 2024!
We kicked off Foster Care Fortnight by raising the Foster Wales Bridgend flag outside the Civic Offices in Bridgend.
We’re celebrating all our foster carers across the county borough and all they do to create safe, loving homes for children that need it most.
To mark the occasion, Foster Wales have launched a brand-new cookbook, entitled ‘Bring something to the table’ which will feature an exciting selection of mouth-watering recipes for readers to sample.
Vicky Davies, a foster carer from Bridgend has shared her cherished family recipe in the new book which boasts 20 recipes from celebrity chefs, along with recipes from people in the fostering community.
The book also shares some life-changing fostering moments from carers and care experienced young people in a bid to raise awareness of the need for more people to come forward and consider fostering.
Please visit our website to read more about Foster Care Fortnight.
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Invasive Species Week: Help us protect local wildlife by joining the bash!
Invasive Species Week is just around the corner and the Green Volunteer Team are holding some Balsam Bash events to help stop the spread and protect local wildlife.
The events will take place at:
- Parc Calon Lan: Tuesday 21 May, Tuesday 18 June & Tuesday 16 July, 10am
- Ogmore Washeries: Wednesday 22 May, 10am
- Bedford Park: Friday 24 May, Friday 14 June & Friday 26 July, 10am
Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant that has a detrimental impact on our native species. It can spread very quickly and grows in dense stands which crowd out many native species whilst also drawing bees and other pollinators from local plants.
Visit our website to read more about nature and the environment in Bridgend County Borough.
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Raising awareness of support during Dementia Action Week
Dementia Action Week is currently ongoing until 19 May 2024 and it’s important that those diagnosed have access to the right support.
We will be lighting our Civic offices building light blue at the end of the campaign week to show our support for people living with dementia and their loved ones.
In Bridgend County Borough there are several places you can get support and guidance for you or a loved one.
Our partners at Awen Libraries have a range of books in the new ‘Reading Well for dementia’ booklist, featuring titles recommended by a panel of people affected by dementia, leading health professionals and library staff. The collection has been built to help people understand more about dementia and includes books that provide information and advice; there are also personal stories and children’s fiction.
BAVO are offering free spaces for activities and support at Aberkenfig Library for people living with dementia and their carers on a Monday evening.
Halo Leisure also have a ‘Feel Good for Life’ programme, designed to give people living with dementia along with their carers, opportunities to socialise and be active.
Finally, Alzheimer’s Society UK have resources available for people living with dementia, their carers, and professionals.
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Reminder: Views wanted on Annual Director of Social Services Report
We would like to remind residents to have their say in our annual Social Services survey.
Every year the Corporate Director of Social Services and Wellbeing must complete and publish their Annual 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:
- Adult Social Care - for those aged 18+ that have experience of adult social care in Bridgend County Borough.
- Children and Young People - for children and young people aged 8 to 17 that have experience of children’s social care in Bridgend County Borough.
- Carers - for unpaid carers of adults, children or young people that have experience of adult or children’s social care services in Bridgend County Borough.
- Parents - for parents of children and young people who have experience of children’s social care in Bridgend County Borough.
Please visit our website to have your say.
Closing date: 27 May 2024
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‘Aspiration Alley’ paves the way for pupils at Pencoed Comprehensive School
A bland, grey corridor, nestled between the business and art departments at Pencoed Comprehensive school has been transformed into an inspiring space through an artistic collaboration between pupils and local graffiti artist Tee2Sugars.
Along the corridor, now aptly named ‘Aspiration Alley’, the iconic faces of Anita Roddick, Aneurin Bevan, groundbreaking Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, and others, are on display as shining examples of what can be achieved in the wider world outside of school, if learners aim high.
The artwork also challenges stereotypes and glass ceilings through the vibrant imagery of Wonder Woman, the Black Panther, and female director, Greta Gerwig.
To read more about this fantastic piece of art, please visit the 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 May- Bridgend Designer Outlet
- 28 May- Tesco Extra Bridgend
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:
- Housing Solution Advisor
- Facilities Manager (Corporate Landlord- Soft FM)
- Senior Assistant Registrar (Burials)
- Relief Cleaner (Corporate Cleaning Services)
- Deputy Headteacher - Brackla Primary School
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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