Covid-19 update from Bridgend County Borough 08 07 2020

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.

Emergency childcare hubs to close

After three months of ensuring that key workers have been able to continue to attend work and keep vital services running, emergency childcare hubs for children aged five and over are set to close on Friday 17 July ahead of the summer holidays. Since schools reopened to host Welsh Government’s ‘Check In, Catch Up – Prepare for Summer and September’ sessions, each school has accommodated their own emergency childcare provision for keyworkers. Provision for children aged up to four who are not in full-time school will continue to be provided via the summer holiday coronavirus childcare assistance scheme. The scheme, which will close to new entrants on Sunday 12 July, is available to support critical workers who are currently in work, and families who have already registered to use the scheme can access it as required for the remainder of the term.

£4m sports fund launched

Sports Wales have launched a new £4m fund to support local sports clubs during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. It will enable clubs to apply for grants of between £300 and £50,000 to help pay for utilities, insurances and other fixed costs, and to make adaptations to ensure activities are safe. The new initiative is in addition to the council’s own Bridgend Sports Support Fund which is providing clubs with grants of up to £1,000 to assist with day-to-day operating costs. It also follows a recent council decision not to charge clubs for using outdoor sports facilities for the 2019-20 season, and to provide clubs that are developing asset transfers with additional support such as pitch, green and wicket surveys, drainage improvements, capital grants to purchase maintenance equipment for green spaces and more. More details are available at the Sport Wales website.

Tennis courts at Maesteg Welfare Park

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, nets have been raised at the tennis courts within Maesteg Welfare Park and are available for public use. Please observe all social distancing requirements and ensure that appropriate hand-hygiene is maintained.                                                                      

Visiting a care home

In line with latest Welsh Government advice, local residential care homes have been making arrangements to support outdoor visits so that families and friends can see each other face-to-face. The move follows restrictions which were imposed earlier in the pandemic. Families and friends are being advised to contact homes directly to discuss what specific arrangements have been put in place, but they will all have been set up to minimise the potential risk of exposure to the coronavirus. You can find out more about the Welsh Government guidance at the Gov.uk website.

Newton Beach car park reopens

The privately-owned car park at Newton Beach in Porthcawl will reopen on 10 July. Its operators temporarily closed it during the pandemic to avoid issues with social distancing and local travel restrictions.

Support grant deadline for carers

Carers have until midday on Thursday 9 July to apply for emergency grants of up to £300. Designed to support eligible carers aged 16+ who provide unpaid care for a friend or family member, the grant helps to cover costs incurred as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic for a range of essential items or services. You can find out more and apply online at the Carers Trust South East Wales website.

Looking out for children and adults

The Bridgend Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is continuing to provide safeguarding services for vulnerable children and adults. You can report concerns about a child to 01656 642320 or mashcentra@bridgend.gov.uk, while concerns about adults can be directed to 01656 642477 or adultsafeguardingMASH@bridgend.gov.uk. For more information, visit the MASH page.

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.