Bridgend Council has published details on the latest bids to the town & community council grant scheme (pdf).
The scheme awards capital grant funding to town and community councils to spend on projects in their respective patches.
To be awarded a grant, the town & community council has to prove that the project meets certain criteria and BCBC policies. These include tie-ins to the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme, the council’s net zero policies and various wellbeing policies.
£122,000 rolled over from the previous financial year, meaning there’s just under £172,000 available for bids during 2025-26.
Seven bids were submitted. Two were successful:
- Coychurch Lower Community Council – Additional funding to support an ongoing revamp of the community playing fields (pictured above [though out of date], total project cost £43,000).
- Porthcawl Town Council – Improvements to listed buildings and facilities at John Street (total project cost £250,000), though this is subject to further assurances around delivery and maintenance.
The other five bids were rejected.
Coity Higher Community Council were turned down for funding to improve roadways and pathways at allotment sites. It wasn’t linked to CAT and it was said there were “inconsistencies” in the application.
Garw Valley Community Council – while submitting a “robust application” for step and handrail improvements in Pontycymer – didn’t align with CAT.
Maesteg Town Council’s application to improve the Blaencaerau playground was submitted after the deadline.
St Bride’s Minor Community Council submitted two bids. The first bid – to create a multi-use games area – met the requirements but further details were needed. The second bid – to install solar-powered lights along a footpath didn’t meet CAT guidelines but was tied to the council’s policy priorities elsewhere.
£40,000 will be provided from the fund towards the two selected projects. That means a little under £132,000 will remain available to town and community councils, who can bid for funding again later in the financial year.
