15 07 20 Covid-19 update

As the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, Bridgend County Borough Council is focusing its resources on providing essential services and protecting vulnerable residents. The following information provides a summary of latest developments.

‘Visit Bridgend’ supports tourism businesses

As parts of the tourism and hospitality sector start to reopen across Wales, the council has launched a new destination brand and website to help the area and provide information on activities and accommodation. Originally planned to launch ahead of the Easter holidays, the new website had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It follows a recent survey of local tourism businesses which revealed that the pandemic has had a significant impact on 64 per cent, 31 per cent face potential closure, and three per cent believe that their business will not survive. The new site promotes the sea, summits and scenery of the county borough while bringing together an exciting range of activities, accommodation and places of interest - you can take a closer look at visitbridgend.co.uk,

New logo promotes town centres

A new logo is being used to encourage trade during the Covid-19 outbreak and help promote town centres throughout Bridgend County Borough. The logo, which forms part of the area’s new destination brand, is designed to highlight a cross-section of the county borough and features elements which recall the hills of the Llynfi, Garw and Ogmore valleys, iconic structures such as Maesteg Town Hall and the historic Old Bridge, the Ogmore River and the coastline at Porthcawl. Intended to reinforce the message that the tourism sector is crucial to the local economy, the logo incorporates the words ‘People - Community - Belonging’ to strengthen the connection.  

Face masks must be worn on public transport

Face masks will become mandatory while using taxis and public transport in Wales from 27 July. Welsh Government has confirmed that a three-layer face covering must be worn while travelling on buses, trains and taxis where space is limited, and that the rule is being introduced as more people start to return to work. To be effective, face masks should cover the nose, mouth, and chin and be secured with elastic loops or ties, include multiple layers, be washable and reusable.

Work on minewater project continues

The pandemic has not prevented investigative work from taking place in Caerau on how heat could be extracted from underground water inside a former colliery. If successful and cost-effective, the initiative will be the first ever large-scale mine water energy scheme to be created in the UK, and could supply heating for homes, community buildings, the local primary school and more. Test drilling has confirmed that the water has a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, and further research is underway to determine how much water is present, how hot it is, how much it will cost to pump to the surface, how long it will take to regain its temperature once it goes back underground, and more.

Top award for dementia service

A scheme which supports people who are experiencing loneliness, low mood or dementia has won a top award during the pandemic. The 'Feel Good for Life' programme provided in partnership with the council by Halo Leisure’s Active Communities team has been presented with a national Community Leisure UK award in the ‘impact through physical activity’ category. Designed to champion and showcase outstanding achievements by leisure trusts and social enterprises, the award has highlighted how the programme originally began as a dementia-friendly swimming project before expanding into further activities using a wider range of resources and working with partners such as Bridgend County Borough Council, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Alzheimer’s Society, BAVO and Awen Libraries. You can find out more at the Feel Good For Life webpage.

Shop safe, shop local

Residents are being reminded to look out for window stickers and certificates indicating that businesses have completed free online training on how to keep customers safe from exposure to the coronavirus. Covering issues such as how to maintain social distancing within premises, how to maintain hand hygiene procedures and more, participating businesses have also received free ‘sneeze-guard’ screens and are advertising themselves on social media using #ShopLocal, #ShopSafe.

Social care opportunities

More people are being sought to help support the county borough’s most vulnerable residents. A number of employment opportunities are available, and anyone who has previously worked in social care or who has transferable skills is invited to apply. A fast-tracked application process and rapid refresher training course are available. To apply or find out more, visit the job pages at the council’s website.          

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.