Covid-19 update from Bridgend County Borough

As the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, Bridgend County Borough Council is continuing to focus its resources on providing essential services and protecting vulnerable residents. The following information provides a summary of latest developments, with the most recent additions at the top:

Emergency Childcare for keyworkers
Having established 6 well-functioning hubs with an agreed set of protocols and safe working practices we are now able to expand the eligibility criteria of keyworkers entitled to access the emergency childcare provision and are pleased to announce that we will now offer places to children from the full list of eligible keyworkers as defined by the Welsh Government, these are:

• Health and social care
• Education and childcare
• Key public services
• Local and national government
• Food and other necessary goods
• Public safety and national security
• Transport
• Utilities, communication and financial services

Keyworkers can apply now with the provision to start from April 20. To book a place visit http://en.eforms.bridgend.gov.uk/emergencychildcareprovision

Emergency Childcare – please help prevent ‘no shows’ by only reserving a place if you need it
Bridgend County Borough Council is asking parents to only book the emergency childcare provision if they are going to make use of it. The local authority says that currently only half of those booking onto the provision are turning up. This is creating significant issues with staff having to be sent home. It costs around £50 per child per day in day care settings if a child does not turn up when a place has been booked by their parents.

The local authority strongly advises that parents should not make use of the emergency childcare offer in Bridgend unless absolutely necessary. Children from families where at least one of the child's parents are key workers will continue to receive emergency childcare in Bridgend County Borough.

Personal Protective Equipment Bridgend County Borough Council is receiving a weekly supply of masks, gloves and aprons from the Welsh Government during the coronavirus pandemic. The personal protective equipment (PPE) is being used by those on the frontline, such as domiciliary care workers and social care staff in residential care homes in line with current Welsh Government guidance.

Our social care workers are doing an amazing job in these challenging times, caring for people both at home and in care homes doing all they can to protect our residents from falling ill. We fully recognise the sense of concern around PPE, and want to reassure all care workers that robust arrangements are in place for the distribution of it. If anyone who works in a residential care home or provides domiciliary care has any concerns about PPE, we ask them to contact their line manager in the first instance. We have a weekly supply coming in from the Welsh Government and we are distributing it to all registered settings, following the guidelines set out by Welsh Government. We are in close communication and daily contact with our partners, our local independent and private care providers to ensure they receive enough stock.

Council leader Huw David

Recycling and refuse collections
Recycling and refuse collections are being picked up one day later than normal following the Bank Holiday Monday, up to and including Saturday 18 April. Deliveries of blue waste bags and green food recycling bags are ongoing, but have been slightly delayed because of the effects of the pandemic. Additional delivery rounds are underway and the service is expected to be back on schedule very soon. Council workers and crews from Kier are working hard to keep the county borough clean, and to ensure that recycling and waste collections can continue as smoothly as possible during the pandemic.

Infant, junior and primary schools admissions
Parents and cares will be notified of acceptance or refusal of places on April 16. The closing date for parents/carers to submit an appeal is May 8.

Protect yourself from rogue traders
With an increase in the number of waste removal businesses advertising services on social media, residents are being urged to check that they are licensed waste carriers before paying for any services. If a business is not properly licensed, your waste could end up being fly-tipped and lead to potential prosecution. You can find out more at the Natural Resources Wales website.

Garden bonfires
The council and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are warning residents about burning household rubbish and garden waste. Fires which get out of hand can result in firefighting resources being called away from frontline efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, and health concerns include the potential effect on neighbours with respiratory problems, especially those recovering from the coronavirus. Residents are being asked to maximise all recycling, compost garden waste and store any items that may need to go to the community recycling centres when they reopen.

School modernisation
The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has forced various school modernisation projects to temporarily stop construction. With issues surrounding the availability of building supplies, social distancing requirements and health and safety implications for staff, projects such as the East Hub and new classrooms at Cefn Cribwr Primary have paused, forcing an unavoidable delay in their anticipated completion. The council and its partners are monitoring the situation closely, and construction will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

Community improvements
Funding totalling more than £90,000 has been agreed for town and community councils to enable a range of projects to go ahead throughout 2020-21. Cefn Cribwr Community Council will invest in the renovation of Cae Gof Pavilion in support of local rugby and football teams. Coity Higher will refurbish play areas in Litchard Park, and Cornelly will upgrade the local community centre. Garw Valley will carry out essential maintenance of Betws Life Centre, Laleston will refurbish the Bryntirion and Laleston community centre. Maesteg Town Council will establish a grant fund which can be used to support local clubs, and Newcastle Higher will provide new surfacing, lighting and an upgrade of the Penyfai playing fields. Pencoed will continue with an upgrade of Pencoed Pavilion, Porthcawl will refurbish the John Street toilets, and Pyle will provide new play equipment at Waun Cimla park.

Contacting the council
The Customer Service Centre at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend remains closed to the public. Residents are asked to use the online My Account and Oggie webchat facilities, or to email talktous@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643643.