Latest news with #BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil
Wales Online
07-08-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Plans for new Bridgend skate park to begin this year
Plans for new Bridgend skate park to begin this year It will replace an existing facility that was closed in 2022 How the new Brackla skatepark could look once completed (Image: Maverick Skateparks) Plans to develop a new skate park in Bridgend county borough have been revealed by designers at Maverick Skateparks. The plans were published by the specialist skatepark company for the site that will be created at Brackla Ridge Playing Area near Bridgend later this year. The local council will now work with the UK-based company, which specialises in the design and installation of spray concrete skateparks, over the coming months. Artists impressions show how the finished park, based around two miles from Bridgend town centre, could eventually look once completed with features that include a series of ramps, jumps, and rails along with a new seating area. The site is understood to be replacing an existing skatepark facility that opened in 2000 and closed in 2022 after it reached the end of its economic life. It will be funded by Bridgend County Borough Council with a value of £250,000. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The closed skatepark that is set to be redeveloped (Image: Bridgend County Borough Council) Speaking at a recent full council meeting the leader of Bridgend Council, Cllr John Spanswick of Brackla West Central, said the work at the site could now begin by the autumn. He said: 'I'm delighted to see that final plans have been revealed for the replacement skate park facility at Brackla and they will be a high-quality development which will reflect feedback from residents and users. 'This has been developed in partnership with Maverick Skateparks and construction is scheduled to begin in the autumn. 'The artists impressions for the site are hugely impressive and reflect our ambition and commitment towards providing young people with modern leisure facilities.' Cllr Spanswick also gave updates on the local authority's ongoing refurbishments to children's play areas across the borough which he said was almost half covered. Article continues below This scheme will eventually see a total of 98 play areas across Bridgend county refurbished and updated with modern play equipment once completed. The update also followed the announcement that funding worth more than £400,000 had been secured by Bridgend council to restore an artificial sports pitch at Bryntirion Comprehensive that was described as being at the end of its life.
Wales Online
26-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Council reports underspend at end of financial year despite continued pressures
Council reports underspend at end of financial year despite continued pressures Officers said the figure was boosted by Welsh Government grants that "significantly masks" underlying budget pressures Bridgend County Borough Council have reported a net underspend on their budget for the 2024-25 financial year. The report came at a full council meeting in June where members heard how there had been net under spend of £300,000 from their annual revenue budget, which has since been transferred to the council fund. Those in attendance reacted positively to the news, though acknowledged that the figure "significantly masks underlying budget pressures" due to Welsh Government grants that were awarded late in the financial year. The saving came from a total revenue budget of £360m which is used by the council to cover its day-to-day cost for running essential services such as waste services, schools, and social care services. Despite the overall underspend the report highlighted that there was still a net overspend of £2.37m from directorate budgets with continued pressures seen in areas such as home to school transport, children's social care, and additional learning needs services. It added that the main reasons for the underspend was because of "unanticipated" Welsh Government grants of £3.2m towards the teachers' pay award and a further £2.024m to go towards revenue cost pressures. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Article continues below Elsewhere the authority saw a £1.5m reduction in the overall insurance fund liability after a number of claims were "repudiated or discontinued" with additional council tax premiums on long-term empty properties and second homes boosting council tax revenue by £611,000. The majority of this sum came from long term empty properties, though the report said if these premiums hadn't been collected the expected council tax income would've fallen short by £99,000. Officers in attendance described the 2024-25 financial year as being "complex" when it came to managing the overall budget position, in a situation that was reflected across all local authorities in Wales. They also said they would have to continue to work hard in the coming year in order to keep spending within the allocated budget, highlighting a shortfall in targeted savings of just over £1.5m. Speaking at the meeting councillor Hywel Williams of Blackmill said the report would now go back to councillors for a further scrutiny session this month. The council's leader John Spanswick added that despite an increase in demands things were "going in the right direction". Article continues below Councillor Ross Penhale Thomas of Maesteg West said with budget pressures being felt right across Wales the council should continue to lobby for multi-year funding settlements for local authorities as this would allow them to better plan ahead and think long-term. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The ghost Burger King on a Welsh roundabout which was built but has never opened
The ghost Burger King on a Welsh roundabout which was built but has never opened The fast food giants won the right to set up shop after an appeal in 2023 The Burger King in Bridgend is located off the A48 Picton Court roundabout (Image: Lewis Smith ) Residents in a Welsh town have been asking why a new drive-through restaurant still hasn't been opened. Those who live near the outskirts of Bridgend say despite a new Burger King being built in the Wickes car park off the A48 Picton Court roundabout for a number of months, it has never actually opened. There has been controversy since the two-storey building off the busy road was given the go-ahead in 2023. This came after a previous planning refusal for the project from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was initially refused because the authority said there was a lack of capacity for the volume of traffic the restaurant would generate, as well as there being no pedestrian crossing at the nearby roundabout. However, the fast food giants won the right to set up shop after appeal when the planning inspector dismissed the council's objections saying they had failed to provide evidence to support the claims. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice It meant Bridgend Council also had to pay costs to the applicant for the appeal, as it was deemed to have behaved "unreasonably" by the inspector at the hearing. Article continues below The site was later developed, with residents in the area saying it has now been there for around six months, leaving many questioning why it has not yet welcomed any customers through its doors. Residents say the site has been completed for around six months (Image: Lewis Smith ) When asked for an update on when the new restaurant was expected to open as well as what had been holding it up, Burger King declined to comment. A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesperson however said the delay was down to "minor points" that needed to be resolved for it to be compliant with the consent. They said: "In terms of planning permission, there are a few minor points that need to be resolved in order for the facility to be compliant with its previously granted consent. "A Stopping Up Order is also required as part of the adopted highway is now occupied by the facility. Article continues below "This is a legal process to remove or divert highway rights and is often used for development purposes." Councillor Freya Bletsoe, who is the local ward member for the area said she had also been made aware of the situation and had been "inundated" by residents who wanted to know what was happening. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Business News Wales
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Cwmpas and Bridgend Council Partnership Project Exceeds Social Enterprise Support Targets
Bridgend County Borough Council is celebrating the success of an innovative partnership with social enterprise development agency Cwmpas. The scheme has seen eight new businesses created and more than 130 existing businesses provided with financial support and development opportunities. Martin Downes, the Cwmpas Lead Consultant who has been overseeing the Social Enterprise Support Programme in Bridgend, said: 'Across Bridgend County Borough, we've outperformed on almost every target, and met the others. We've supported the creation of eight new businesses this year, where the target was two, and we've helped to safeguard 12 jobs, comfortably beating our initial target of two. 'We've also run business development sessions attended by 200 individuals and 132 businesses, and we ran the first ever social enterprise marketplace in Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC), sporting 90 individual attendees and 24 enterprises.' Baobab Bach are one of many organisations to benefit. In the space of just five years, they now have six members of staff and over 100 volunteers who supply non-means tested quality food to approximately 270 families a week. They do this through their 14 community pantries based in three counties across south Wales, including Bridgend County Borough. Still-fresh food which would otherwise go to landfill is sourced from FareShare Cymru. Membership costs £1. Baobab Bach provides more than just access to food: the community pantries also offer sanctuary, a space to meet and socialise, and vital community support. As well as their community pantries, they run three food growing projects where young people learn to grow their own food. Alison Westwood, Director of Baobab Bach, said: 'We're hugely grateful for the support we have received to build raised beds as part of the Social Enterprise Support Programme – it's made a massive difference. 'The support will make our sites much more manageable and easier to cultivate. In the past, we've had problems with flooding, so the impact has been transformational.' As part of the support provided, Cwmpas has helped develop Baobab Bach's management structure, and supported strategic planning, funding bids, training sessions, and opportunities for networking. Alison continued: 'It's so important to access quality support. There are things on a business level which we simply don't know, but having a specialist adviser like Cwmpas with an external viewpoint is so valuable. Take that advice. It is very worthwhile.' The success of the Cwmpas and Bridgend County Borough Council partnership is also reflected in the story of well-being social enterprise Baldilocks. Director Dan Newman was the victim of a violent assault at age 18. He developed alopecia soon after – and from that trauma and adversity came hope and support in the shape of Baldilocks. Dan founded Baldilocks after attending a start-up workshop delivered by Cwmpas as part of the partnership in June 2024. He said: 'Alopecia is a condition where you may not want anyone to see you – but when you are seen with empathy and understanding, you feel more human. You feel cared for. 'We're here to help people through their adversity with a touch of humanity and humour: the more we connect as human beings, the more we gain. 'Support from the Council and Cwmpas has been a vital part of our journey. We've benefitted from expert advice on navigating the social enterprise landscape, and the nuances of developing a business that works both for you and the people you're impacting. 'Without the support of the partnership, we could have lost a lot of time and money. 'Social enterprise can be a gamechanger for the future economy. Go with your purpose first, and everything else will follow.' Cllr Neelo Farr, Bridgend County Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: 'Our work with Cwmpas is a fantastic example of how working in partnership can have a huge impact on our local economy, businesses and residents. 'It's really pleasing that the targets have not only been met but exceeded. Thinking outside the box has been key to this, for example the social enterprise marketplace event was a first for our county borough. 'Our delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has allowed us to support our communities, help local businesses to grow, and provide useful training to residents. We are looking forward to building on this in the future.' Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, said: 'Our partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council to deliver the Social Enterprise support programme has been a resounding success. 'Our business advisers have enjoyed working with new and established social enterprises, which are making a huge difference in their communities, right across Bridgend County. As our client Dan Newman says, our region is full of potential. By tapping into this culture of resilience and community, social enterprise can be a gamechanger for the Welsh economy.'
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Secondary school says it will suspend pupils for using phones
Secondary school says it will suspend pupils for using phones Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen has banned the use of mobile phones and has said anyone violating the policy could face suspension Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Bridgend (Image: Google Maps ) A secondary school in Wales has become the latest to implement a 'phone ban' and has warned that pupils might even face a 'fixed term exclusion' if they use a phone or refuse to hand theirs over. Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Bridgend announced in a Facebook post that the phone ban will be in place from Monday, June 2, making it a 'mobile and electronic device-free school.' In a post on the school's Facebook page, the school said that the use of phones has resulted in 'learning being disrupted.' It said: 'The headteacher has a duty of care to protect both learners and staff in school. " Stay informed on Bridgend news by signing up to our newsletter here 'Mobile phones are increasingly becoming a huge distraction; this includes leaming being disrupted, an increase in online bullying via social media platforms and taking and sharing of images and videos without permission which is illegal.' The secondary school added that it made the decision to ban phone use after receiving support from the local authority, which is Bridgend County Borough Council. As per the ban, the use of mobile phones will be prohibited throughout the school day and pupils will be required to put their phones on silent and keep them in their school bags as soon as they enter the school gates. It also prohibits pupils from using their phones anywhere on the school grounds. If any parent or guardian wishes to contact their child, they will have to do so via the school's reception. The school has also listed out 'consequences' for students if they are in violation of the ban. It said: 'Any mobile phone related incident including refusal to hand in will result in a fixed term exclusion. 'Parents will be contacted and will collect their child's phone from reception.' According to the website, a suspension or a 'fixed term exclusion' is when a child is temporarily removed from the school. It adds that a pupil can only removed from the school for up to 45 school days in one school year, even if they have changed schools. Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen thanked parents and carers for their 'ongoing support.' A council spokesperson said: 'Local schools and their governing bodies are free to determine their own individual policies over whether mobile phones can be used during school hours or on school premises.' Article continues below Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen did not respond to a request for a comment.
