At this month’s full council meeting, Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) asked for a progress update on improvements to the county’s playgrounds.
A rolling programme of playground upgrades was a manifesto commitment by Labour ahead of the 2022 local elections. However, there are some projects outside of this programme.
One of these is a proposed multi-use games area (MUGA) at Sarn Life Centre (pictured). The project was recently turned down for funding from Bridgend Council’s town & community council fund.
Cllr. Thomas said that St Bride’s Minor Community Council is only town & community council in the county which funds library services. There were fears that without extra funding, the only way of funding the MUGA would be to cut library services.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment, Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central), told councillors that there were several reasons reason the MUGA funding was rejected.
No detailed specifications were provided, while the consultation consisted of “hand-written notes”. There were also issues around the land upon which the MUGA would be placed.
It doesn’t mean a further bid would be unsuccessful, but there needs to be “a more professional approach”.
