Covid-19 update from Bridgend County Borough 23 03 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, with the most recent additions at the top:

Contacting the council

The Customer Service Centre at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend has now 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.

Recycling and waste

The three community recycling centres in the county borough have now closed until further notice.

Recycling and waste collections are currently going ahead as normal currently. The council is working closely alongside its waste partner, Kier.

Parks and playing fields, Rest Bay Car Park and Salt Lake Car Park
All children’s playgrounds in the county borough, Griffin Park Porthcawl, Maesteg Welfare Park and both Rest Bay Car Park and Salt Lake Car Park in Porthcawl have now closed to the public following government advice around social distancing.
It comes after crowds gathered during the weekend at local beaches and parks.

Coychurch Crematorium and cemeteries

All council-run cemeteries are currently open. Coychurch Crematorium is open, but the number of mourners attending a cremation service has been strictly limited to 10. The chosen individuals will be decided between families and the funeral director. This is to reduce the risk of exposure for staff and mourners.

Licensed premises
All pubs, bars and cafes were ordered to close by UK Government on Friday. Compliance will be closely monitored and any premises found operating will have appropriate sanctions imposed.

Public toilets

All public toilets in Bridgend county borough apart from those at the Bridgend Bus Station will close from tomorrow. 

Social care

We are currently running a recruitment appeal to help support service delivery during this time. In particular we are looking for people who have previously worked in social care. If you, or anyone you know, are interested, please follow this link.

Childcare for key workers

This is available from Monday 23 March for children of key workers in the NHS, emergency services, prison service and social care workers where no alternative childcare options exist. The scheme may be expanded further once the council has been able to establish the level of demand and available staffing. It will be available for children aged 0 – 16 at six fully-accessible local schools, with free transport provided for children living outside of the natural catchment areas.

Free school meals

From Monday 23 March, children who are entitled to free school meals will be able to collect a take-away packed lunch from 23 local schools – Brackla, Betws, Ffaldau, Brynmenyn, Cefn Glas, Caerau, Litchard, Corneli, Pencoed, Nantymoel, West Park, Ogmore Vale, Penyfai, St Marys & St Patricks and Tynyrheol primaries, Archbishop McGrath, Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen, Bryntirion, Brynteg, Cynffig, YGG Llangynwyd, Brynteg Lower comprehensives, and Ysgol Bryn Castell Special School.

Social care

Visits to council-run care homes and childrens’ homes have been temporarily suspended, and contact with family and friends is being carried out via telephone, video link and social media. Guidance has been issued to independent care homes to support a consistent approach, while for domiciliary care, risk assessments are being carried out to protect vulnerable residents.

Assia Suite

Domestic violence support offered by the Calan DVS Assia Suite at the civic offices is focusing mainly on telephone contact, with personal appointments taking place where it is safe to do so. Refuge accommodation is continuing, as is on-call support.

Bridgend Bus Station

Bridgend Bus Station will close at 6pm instead of 8pm. Buses using the station can still be accessed by passengers.