Covid-19 update 13 05 2020

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.

Sports club funding deadline

Local sports clubs have until Friday 15 May 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 following 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

‘No show’ childcare warning

The council is warning that the offer of support will be withdrawn for families who book places at emergency childcare hubs but do not show up. It follows incidents over the recent bank holiday weekend in which staff who had given up their bank holiday to volunteer were sent home as a result of the ‘no shows’. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, hundreds of staff have been volunteering to work shifts and provide care and support at the six emergency childcare hubs, and thousands of places have been taken by children aged between four and 11 years. The hubs, which are open from 8am to 6pm, are currently in their eighth week of operation.

Free school meals

The council is continuing to provide all children who are eligible for free school meals with a weekly food parcel containing enough food to ensure they can receive breakfast and lunch for five days. To ensure that deliveries can be made to the correct address, please inform the council of any recent moves.

Local beaches

Residents are being reminded that driving to local beaches is classed as unnecessary travel. Annual restrictions preventing dogs from being exercised on Rest Bay, Town Beach, Coney Beach and Trecco Bay remain in place until 30 September 2020. They are allowed at Sker Beach and Newton Beach, but while lockdown procedures still apply, these should not be accessed by anyone who is not a local resident.

New bus routes introduced

Further bus routes are being introduced in Bridgend County Borough next week as part of a phased return of public transport services. From Monday 18 May 2020, Service 65 linking Bridgend, Bryncethin, Heol-y-Cyw, Llanharan and Talbot Green, Service 72 linking Bridgend and Blaengarw, Service 73 linking Bridgend, Sarn, Bettws, Llangeinor, Pontycymmer and Blaengarw, and Service 76 linking Bridgend, Sarn, Ynysawdre and Bettws will all be available. Early morning services designed to help key workers get to and from work are also available, such as the Service 63 linking Bridgend and Porthcawl, Service 70 linking Bridgend and Cymmer, Service 73 linking Bridgend and Blaengarw, Service 74 linking Bridgend and Nantymoel, and Service X2 linking Bridgend and Cardiff. With stringent cleaning procedures in place and 50 per cent capacity limits to enable on-board social distancing, passengers are being asked to make cashless payments where possible in order to limit the risk of exposure.

Safeguarding for adults and children

The council is continuing to support vulnerable adults and children during the pandemic. Signs that someone may be experiencing any type of harm can be reported by calling 01656 642477 for adults, and 01656 642320 for children between 8.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am-4.30pm on Fridays. To contact social care services outside these hours or at weekends and over bank holidays, call the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Emergency Duty Team on 01443 743665.

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.