More from this month’s full council meeting, with both questions relating to the environment.
“Unique landscape” needs more council support
Cllr. Martin Williams (Ind, Coity Higher) described the 2,400-acre Coity Wallia Common as a “unique landscape” and valuable natural resource for the county. Yet it’s often overlooked, left to be maintained by volunteers.
Council financial support amounts to just £5,000 a year, topped up by additional funds from the common’s constituent community councils. It’s a missed opportunity to support a major carbon sink to aid BCBC’s net-zero policies. Would BCBC consider dedicating more officer time to work with the board of conservators and help find external funding?
Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) sought assurances that common land would continue to be protected from development.
In reply, Council Leader, Cllr. Huw David (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr), said common land was protected by the law, though different laws and regulations apply to different commons.
He noted the success the likes of Awen Cultural Trust have had in securing woodland investment grants. He was happy to work with organisations and landowners who want to help enhance the county’s biodiversity, though he couldn’t give any guarantee that officer assistance would secure external funding.
Dwr Cymru “didn’t respond” to Cabinet concerns about river pollution in August 2022
Recent media reports revealed levels of untreated sewage pollution in the River Garw as some of the highest in Wales.
Cllr. Tim Thomas – while accepting Natural Resources Wales and Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water had ultimate authority – believed BCBC has a role to ensure rivers and seas were of good quality to support its biodiversity role. Has any further contact been made to Welsh Water on this?
Cllr. Martin Hughes (Lab, Maesteg East) wanted to emphasise the good work being done by voluntary groups, such as the Llynfi River Group, to remove waste from rivers.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change & the Environment, Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central), revealed that both himself and the Council Leader contacted Welsh Water in August 2022 but didn’t get a response – it was the right time to press them again.
He mentioned a mass voluntary cleanup – jointly supported by Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan councils – along the last stretch of the River Ogmore near the mouth due to take place by the end of August. This stretch of the river was said to be “full of tyres and shopping trolleys”.
The Council Leader added that that he’s had a series of conversations with senior managers at Natural Resources Wales recently and he’s been in contact with Welsh Water again – but didn’t reveal anything more than that.
