The only backbench questions to the Cabinet at this month’s full council meeting were about Bridgend Council’s response to the cost-of-living crisis.
While the £150 payments to direct debit taxpayers have started to be paid out, there have been many complaints about delays on social media from residents. The council is still yet to confirm how they’ll issue payments to council taxpayers in Bands A-D who pay by cash, cheque or card or those in receipt of council tax discounts.
Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) said he had many “angry conversations” with constituents who had budgeted for the payment. Unlike neighbouring authorities, there have been significant delays in Bridgend. He prompted the Cabinet to apologise for the “unnecessary delays and hardship” these delays have caused.
Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr. Hywel Williams (Lab, Blackmill), didn’t accept that the delays were unnecessary but they were undesirable. There’s a due process to undertake and he didn’t believe Bridgend was “significantly behind” the rest of Wales on this. Under Welsh Government guidelines, the council has until September 2022 to make the payments.
The Council’s Finance Officer, Carys Lord, said the council has issued around 30,000 payments to date (with around 20,000 left). The process will be reviewed to ensure money can be paid as quickly as possible, but checks are necessary to ensure the money goes to the right people.
Slow progress on Poverty Commission
In the follow-up questions, Cllr. Maxine Lewis (Lab, Garw Valley) asked what money the council could make available to ease food poverty?
Cllr. Williams noted the “discretionary element” within Welsh Government funding. The council will be looking to support food banks/food pantries – though no further details were provided.
Cllr. Ross Penhale-Thomas (Ind, Maesteg West) reminded councillors that last year he called for the establishment of a “Poverty Truth Commission” – based on similar work in Swansea. The Commission would give the council more detailed information on the direct impact of poverty and also allow residents to help shape the council’s response. He asked for an update on that commitment.
Council Leader, Huw David (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr), said not enough work has gone into that as he would like due to other pressures on officers’ time – but he would get an update.
