Image Source: Children's Commissioner for Wales
Oggy Bloggy Ogwr doesn’t receive any subsidy and isn’t funded by the BBC. If you like what I’m doing here and think this work is important in keeping locals informed of what’s happening in Bridgend, consider a donation. One-off or monthly; as little or as much as you want. Click the links below, or full details are available here.
Later this week, Bridgend Council will be asked to approve a £1.62 million project to open a council-controlled children’s residential care home (pdf).
Subject to council approval, the proposed care home – described as a “larger, rural property” – would be bought on the open market for just under £1 million. The remaining funding would be used to pay Land Transaction Tax and undertake refurbishment work (subject to detailed designs, contracts and planning permission).
The property is expected to have four spaces for looked-after children.
Due to the funding terms and conditions, the purchase needs to be made by March 31st 2026. BCBC intends to use its own capital budget to cover the cost now, which would be claimed back from the Welsh Government’s Housing with Care Fund.
Private residential care places for children can be expensive. BCBC expects to save just under £300,000 per year by having an in-house service. This is part of a wider move in Wales to phase out for-profit care places for looked-after children by April 2030.
