Through the summer and autumn of 2017, Bridgend Council discussed possible changes to taxi fares and vehicle testing requirements. The Cabinet ultimately rejected three proposals from taxi drivers to increase fares last September, despite drivers arguing that: Bridgend fares were… Continue Reading
While the Class of 2018 has apparently produced Wales’ best-ever A-Level results, despite excellent individual and whole-school performances, the overall picture in Bridgend has seen pass rates in the top grades fall back again. Slightly worryingly, the fall in top… Continue Reading
Following the recent decision by Bridgend Council to withdraw financial support from some bus routes, First Cymru will introduce a revised timetable starting next Monday (13th August 2018). 62 Pencoed to Bridgend: The 1753 and 1901 journeys from Bridgend will… Continue Reading
One of Wales’ leading waspkeepers has issued a warning over the uncertainty Brexit is causing their industry. Watkin Tudur ap Bastard has produced his celebrated wasp jams and wasp jellies from his smallholding near the Brechfa Forest for 40 years.… Continue Reading
On April 25th, the Plaid Cymru group on Bridgend Council tabled a motion calling for BCBC to support the county becoming “plastic-free”; by “plastic-free” they mean reducing or eliminating the use of single-use and throwaway plastics. The Cabinet Member for… Continue Reading
A few weeks ago, I was reliably informed about a growing crisis at a Bridgend school. The school in question has apparently had problems for several years, but whenever difficult questions are asked things miraculously improve – the problems go… Continue Reading
They’ve tried signs. They’ve tried polite notices. They’ve tried giving warnings in the press and elsewhere about what would happen if behaviour didn’t change. None of it’s made any difference. Bridgend Council has lost patience with irresponsible dog owners. They’re… Continue Reading
I’ve already covered plans for district heat systems in Bridgend town centre and Caerau, but another proposed green energy programme has come forward and will be discussed by Bridgend Council’s Cabinet next week (pdf). BCBC have been asked to join… Continue Reading
Accidents on motorways are a fact of life, despite them being generally safer than other road types – everyone’s going in the same direction and the two carriageways are divided by a barrier. Nevertheless – driver error aside – there’s… Continue Reading
As covered in this week’s Glamorgan Gazette, a deadline to submit comments relating to a small, but controversial, development in Brackla has been extended until Tuesday July 3rd. The outline planning application (details available here) is for three plots for… Continue Reading
In 2017-18, Bridgend Council set up a £285,000 fund which would enable councillors to spend up to £5,000 on projects that would benefit their respective wards. BCBC’s Audit Committee will discuss what’s been done with the fund to date (pdf).… Continue Reading
One thing all local authorities are responsible for is tree management – mainly in terms of health and safety. If they fail in this duty they could be liable to a fine of up to £4million. BCBC’s tree management policy… Continue Reading
There’s been a sense of anxiety amongst town centre traders and the public about the future of Bridgend Market, but BCBC has finally published its turnaround plan (pdf). BCBC currently have a 99-year leasehold on the market (which runs until… Continue Reading
Bridgend will be giving £11million+ to the Cardiff City Region, but this could well be the first concrete proposal for something to come back. The City Region Joint Cabinet has decided that Bridgend should be the host authority for the… Continue Reading
Following the decision to cut bus subsidies (though some were given a last-minute reprieve – more here), BCBC’s Cabinet is to decide on the future of public toilets in Bridgend county next week (pdf). New duties will be placed on… Continue Reading
Following a public consultation the Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething AM (Lab, Cardiff South & Penarth), has announced today that Bridgend county will be changing health boards. From April 1st 2019, health services in Bridgend will be run by Cwm Taf… Continue Reading
Later this week, officers from Bridgend Council’s Highways Department will discuss a report with councillors on the impact cuts have had on their services (pdf). Since 2011-12, BCBC cut just over £3.9million from the highways budget – averaging about £488,000… Continue Reading
A few weeks ago, the £1million revamp of Bridgend railway station was completed, followed by an official opening by the First Minister. I went into more detail when the plans were first announced in 2017. In short, the improvements include… Continue Reading
An Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting, due to be held later this week, will discuss the social services Bridgend Council (BCBC) provides to support Parc Prison (pdf). Parc Prison has just under 1,800 inmates (62 of which are young… Continue Reading
It’s perceived wisdom that there’s a link between attending school and doing better – though this ignores all the other complicated explanations for how children perform at school like poverty, mental & physical health, bullying, intelligence/natural ability and the… Continue Reading
After a process that started in 2014, officers have finally drafted a set of recommendations to BCBC’s Cabinet for changes to car park management in Bridgend county (pdf). The Current Situation The report states that BCBC currently makes a £385,000… Continue Reading
Next week, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet will discuss controversial proposals to make a £188,000 cut to supported bus routes, with the results of a public consultation now revealed (pdf). Here’s a reminder of the bus routes which will be affected if… Continue Reading
BCBC’s Audit Committee isn’t the most glamorous function undertaken by councillors, but it’s one of the most important as they determine whether tax payers are getting value for money and whether BCBC is spending money wisely. Bridgend and Vale of… Continue Reading
One of the most important functions of any council is setting out how to use land, including allocating land for housing, retail and employment development. BCBC set out this policy in their Local Development Plan (LDP). The current one… Continue Reading
As you may be aware, BCBC is undertaking a review of post-16 education (sixth forms) at schools across the county. More detailed work has now been undertaken and will be discussed by Cabinet this afternoon (pdf). That detailed work included… Continue Reading
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