Here are some more questions for the Cabinet from this month’s full council meeting.
Cabinet accepts issue with waste bag deliveries; two-year stop-gap contract to maintain standards
Cllr. Alex Williams (Ind, Pencoed & Penprysg) asked whether the Cabinet was satisfied with the Kier recycling service? Were there also satisfied that the company was fulfilling its contractual obligations ahead of a two-year stop-gap contract award (which will be awarded to a different company as Kier is leaving the waste business)?
He also asked whether there would be any commercial incentives in the two-year contract extension to ensure a high standard of service is maintained.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central), said the details of the two-year contract were being finalised.
The statistics show that the Kier contract has performed well. 40-80 collections per 100,000 are missed – a very low proportion – and Bridgend was recently said to have the fourth lowest recycling costs in Wales. Complaints also halved from January-August 2022.
It was acknowledged that an area where there’ve been issues is the delivery of blue rubbish bags and food waste bags. This was due to staffing problems caused by Covid-19. To get back on track, bags were delivered over weekends and things have returned to schedule.
In terms of standards, Cllr. Spanswick added that the two-year contract would include “just as strict, if not more strict” penalty clauses – though the precise details are commercially sensitive.
Newbridge Fields facilities are “on the shortlist for improvements” but funding an issue
Cllr. Ian Williams (Ind, Oldcastle) submitted a question on the state of play facilities and sports pavilions and Newbridge Fields in Bridgend, describing them as “an absolute disgrace”. He wanted to know when work would begin on inclusive upgrades – particularly accessible playgrounds and toilets.
In response, Bridgend Council has awarded funding for inclusive play areas – but it requires careful planning. The play area at Newbridge Fields is on the shortlist, but improvements will take time. In the short-term, accessible changing and toilet facilities are available at Bridgend Life Centre/The Rec during opening hours.
One of the main challenges is the level of funding required to bring sports pavilions up to modern standards. Community Asset Transfers were said to have “offered an opportunity for groups to safeguard and improve valued facilities through accessing a wider range of grants.”
