Covid-19 update 20 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.

Hotels support pandemic response

Bridgend County Borough Council is thanking local hotels for their support in providing safe accommodation for key workers and homeless people during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The authority and its partners have liaised with the owners of hotels and bed-and-breakfast accommodation throughout the county borough to provide temporary housing for key workers in order to reduce the risk of exposing their families to the virus, and for vulnerable and homeless people who might otherwise face having to sleep rough during the crisis. The move is also providing the businesses with financial support while the pandemic is in effect.

Help for the homeless

Working alongside partners such as The Wallich, Pobl and other local housing associations and voluntary organisations, the council is providing additional support and advice covering a range of situations which people may have found themselves in due to the pandemic. For an initial assessment of your housing needs, use the council’s online Jigsaw facility or contact the council on 01656 643643. You can also find out more about the housing register or get advice on housing benefit

Support for young carers

Local support services for young carers and young adult carers have contacted local shops and security firms to raise awareness of their needs and to ensure that they will not be denied access when shopping for a parent, neighbour or friend. Young carers are also being reminded that they can make use of the Young Carers ID card as a simple, subtle way of raising awareness of their caring responsibility. The ID card scheme has been in use for five years, and the council is continuing to work with young carer services to ensure they have access to a wide range of support and information. For more details, call (01656) 642413 / 07989 655512 or email Lisa.Pritchard@Bridgend.gov.uk

£27m business support

Almost £27m has now been issued in business grants processed by Bridgend County Borough Council. With more than 2,169 successful applications to date, the support is available for businesses that 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 can be made by completing the online form.                                   

Look out for your neighbours

Residents are being asked to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 4,000 vulnerable people have already been contacted directly, but the council is making every effort to ensure that support is in place for everyone who needs it, including people who may not have needed to ask for help before or who may not know the best way to go about doing so. You can support this by making sure that any elderly or vulnerable people in your street or community has support from family members, friends, a carer or a community group. If you think that someone is in need of greater support, this can be arranged by contacting Bridgend County Borough Council on 01656 643643 for help and requesting an assessment of their needs.

Pandemic business advice

Businesses are encouraged to check the council’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) information page for regular updates on available support as well as the Business Wales, Welsh Government and UK Government websites. General business support queries can be sent to business@bridgend.gov.uk

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.