17 04 2020 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:

Food parcels for children eligible for free school meals

Bridgend County Borough Council is looking to change its approach to supporting school children who are eligible for free school meals. It is proposing to replace the current packed lunch provision with a five-day food parcel which will be delivered to each household. The food parcel would include sufficient food items to provide both breakfast and lunch for a child for five days. For pupils with special dietary requirements a five-day frozen meal option is proposed. Schools are contacting parents about the proposal. There will be a further announcement when details are finalised.

Hundreds of volunteers sign up to help those in need

More than 600 volunteers in Bridgend county borough have come forward to offer their help to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Registering with the Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO), people have signed up to befriend and check on their welfare of residents, go shopping for those who need it, take patients home from hospital, collect prescriptions and help out in community kitchens and foodbanks. Visit Bavo's website if you're interested in signing up to become a volunteer. Email volunteering@bavo.org.uk or call 01656 810400.

Funding for local groups and social enterprises

Local groups and social enterprises working at a street and community level are invited to apply for Welsh Government grants of up to £1,000 to help them continue and expand their support for people who are most at need at this time. The grants are being administered by BAVO. The deadline for applications is April 30 and grants must be fully utilised within six months. For more details or an application form visit Bavo's website or email grantsadmin@bavo.org.uk Only not-for-profit third sector organisations can apply.

Recycling and refuse

Don’t forget that following the recent bank holiday, recycling and refuse collections will be one day later than normal up until and including Saturday 18 April. Please park considerately and bear in mind refuse lorries need space to get through. Deliveries of blue waste bags and green food recycling bags have been slightly delayed due to the pandemic, but are expected to be back on schedule very soon.            

Bus service reinstated

Following discussions between Bridgend County Borough Council and local bus operators, a service linking Bridgend with Pontypridd is set to be reinstated. Provided by New Adventure Travel, the 404 service will run between Monday and Saturday and is set to begin on Monday 20 April. With stops in Brackla, Coychurch, Pencoed and Bridgend town centre, the 404 service joins a number of early morning bus routes which have been reinstated across Bridgend County Borough since the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic began.

Nolton Street vacant building fire

Following the fire in a vacant three-storey commercial property in Nolton Street, the pavement outside remains closed. While the building which is privately-owned is unsafe to enter, it has been inspected by local authority structural engineers and made safe for passers-by.

CCTV

CCTV cameras are still running and being monitored in Bridgend town centre.

£19.5m business grant funding

Local businesses are benefitting from £19.5m of business grant funding issued by Bridgend County Borough Council as part of Welsh Government’s Covid-19 business support package. The council has processed over 1,540 applications from local firms and is continuing to process many more. The support is being made available to businesses who are eligible for small business rates relief in Wales and who occupy premises with a rateable value of £12,000 or less. It also includes those who fall under small business rates relief but who do not currently pay business rates, and retail, leisure or hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £12,001 to £51,000. Applications for the Welsh Government business support grant can be made by completing the online form. Please note that to avoid delays in processing claims, it is vital for all applicants to provide accurate, essential information, including copies of bank statements showing bank details.

New £500m economic resilience fund

The Welsh Government has launched a new £500m Economic Resilience Fund to support eligible firms, businesses, charities and social enterprises. Designed to provide additional financial support during the coronavirus pandemic and help organisations manage cash flow pressures, it will help address gaps not met by existing support schemes offered by UK Government, Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales. Before applying to the fund, organisations should go through the guidance to establish whether they are likely to be eligible – Apply online and full details can be found at Business Wales website.

Support for sports clubs

Local sports clubs are being invited to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help them with day-to-day operating costs during the coronavirus pandemic. The council has reconfigured its £75,000 Bridgend Sports Support Fund - part of the community asset transfer process - to provide immediate financial aid during the outbreak. As part of the grant application, sports clubs will need to submit copies of relevant proof of payments such as invoices, receipts and / or bank statements showing expenditure for the period after 31 March 2020. For more details on the fund or for an application form, email the council’s community asset transfer officer at guy.smith@bridgend.gov.uk - the deadline for submitting applications is May 15.

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 social care vacancies webpage.

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.