Latest news with #BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil
Wales Online
6 days ago
- 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.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Grass-cutting delays hit Welsh county amid staffing challenges
Grass-cutting delays hit Welsh county amid staffing challenges It comes after the authority made the decision to develop their own in-house grass-cutting service in 2024 Coity Road Bridgend (Image: Google Maps ) Members of Bridgend council have been updated on issues with the recruitment of seasonal staff which has led to delays in grass-cutting across the county borough. The update came as part of an all-member briefing from the council's cabinet member for climate change and environment Cllr Paul Davies. This was later shared by the Bridgend County Independents group who said they had been reporting cases of grassed areas not being cut on residents' behalf. It comes after the authority made the decision to develop their own in-house grass-cutting service in 2024 instead of outsourcing to a private contractor as they had done since 2015. It also came along with the transfer of more than £300,000 worth of capital funding from the authority from an existing capital project for Ravens Court offices that was no longer needed. Bridgend County Borough Council's civic offices (Image: LDRS ) This was put towards the costs of getting the new rural grass-cutting service up and running with the funds largely needed for the purchase of new plant and equipment such as mowers. Article continues below The latest update said while "significant progress" had been made on bringing in equipment, the recruitment of seasonal staff was challenging, leading to delays in the grass cutting schedule. It added that the directorate would now be looking at a number of options to address the situation, which included redoubling a recruitment campaign as well as working with employment agencies and the Employability Bridgend Team. It could also see the job description for the role adjusted in order to allow a wider pool of applicants to apply with the reallocation of staff from other areas where possible. Additionally they could also look at the possibility of changing the roles from seasonal to permanent jobs which may be more attractive to potential employees. The move to bring grass cutting services in-house comes alongside separate plans for bringing waste collection services in-house by April 2026. Article continues below The decision to adopt this service was made by members in November 2024. It was done in order to allow the authority to have "more hands-on monitoring" and "sustainable flexibility". For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre
Bridgend Town Council has published a feasibility study looking at options for the future of a Grade II-listed town centre building. Carnegie House, in Bridgend town centre, is more than 100 years old and was previously used as a public library as well as Bridgend Town Council's chamber and staff offices. It was first acquired by the town council in 2014 after a community asset transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was later refurbished with a series of grants from the Heritage Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales and is currently used as an arts and cultural hub where a range of classes, talks, and exhibitions take place. However the recently-published report said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit attendance at the centre has dropped. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here. READ MORE: School put in lockdown over water pistol READ MORE: Tesco customers now have to push a button to access one product This was said to have had a "knock-on effect on income", putting additional strain on the town council's finances as it subsidises the arts centre in order to keep it open. The feasibility study has since been carried out to establish "how the building can be put to best use within the confines of the agreed community uses". Findings came from a mixture of interviews with key stakeholders and residents and showed there was strong community support for the building with almost 600 people responding to a survey. These responses showed interest in expanding what Carnegie House has to offer with things such as film nights, musical shows, themed evenings, and heritage exhibitions. It also highlighted a need to improve the promotion and advertising of such events. A consultation over the design of the building discussed the potential for physical enhancements at the site with a possibility to look at increasing the capacity of the building's main hall on the ground floor from 60 to 220 people. This would also see the Bridgend and District History Society relocated to an office on the first floor with the former council chamber transformed in to a multi-purpose space. Other changes from the proposals included improved toilets, storage, heating, and fire escapes as well as an "atrium or glass entrance to improve visibility". The report read: "The proposals aim to revitalise the venue by improving accessibility, increasing audience capacity, and removing physical barriers to engagement. "While modifications to a Grade II-listed building require careful consideration the proposed interventions have been designed to minimise heritage impact while ensuring Carnegie House remains a viable cultural hub." It added costs for the proposals could be between £468,000 and £550,000 though a further estimate said if the site eventually lived up to its potential it could generate just shy of £140,000 per year. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre The Grade II-listed building was acquired by the local town council in 2014 Carnegie House, Bridgend (Image: Google Maps ) Bridgend Town Council has published a feasibility study looking at options for the future of a Grade II-listed town centre building. Carnegie House, in Bridgend town centre, is more than 100 years old and was previously used as a public library as well as Bridgend Town Council's chamber and staff offices. It was first acquired by the town council in 2014 after a community asset transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was later refurbished with a series of grants from the Heritage Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales and is currently used as an arts and cultural hub where a range of classes, talks, and exhibitions take place. However the recently-published report said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit attendance at the centre has dropped. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here. This was said to have had a "knock-on effect on income", putting additional strain on the town council's finances as it subsidises the arts centre in order to keep it open. The feasibility study has since been carried out to establish "how the building can be put to best use within the confines of the agreed community uses". Findings came from a mixture of interviews with key stakeholders and residents and showed there was strong community support for the building with almost 600 people responding to a survey. Article continues below These responses showed interest in expanding what Carnegie House has to offer with things such as film nights, musical shows, themed evenings, and heritage exhibitions. It also highlighted a need to improve the promotion and advertising of such events. A consultation over the design of the building discussed the potential for physical enhancements at the site with a possibility to look at increasing the capacity of the building's main hall on the ground floor from 60 to 220 people. This would also see the Bridgend and District History Society relocated to an office on the first floor with the former council chamber transformed in to a multi-purpose space. Other changes from the proposals included improved toilets, storage, heating, and fire escapes as well as an "atrium or glass entrance to improve visibility". The report read: "The proposals aim to revitalise the venue by improving accessibility, increasing audience capacity, and removing physical barriers to engagement. Article continues below "While modifications to a Grade II-listed building require careful consideration the proposed interventions have been designed to minimise heritage impact while ensuring Carnegie House remains a viable cultural hub." It added costs for the proposals could be between £468,000 and £550,000 though a further estimate said if the site eventually lived up to its potential it could generate just shy of £140,000 per year. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Man spends 13 years on Welsh council's housing waiting list
Man spends 13 years on Welsh council's housing waiting list The council has told Tom Weaver he'll probably never leave temporary accommodation, highlighting the housing crisis and the reality facing service users and local authorities in Wales Tom Weaver, from Bridgend, has been waiting for a permanent home for 13 years and is no closer to getting one (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) A 61-year-old man who suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage in 2012 has been on his council's housing waiting list – and effectively homeless – ever since. Tom Weaver, from Wildmill in Bridgend, had a brain haemorrhage on the way back from his job at McArthur Glen retail park in Bridgend when he had to be rushed to hospital. Medical staff told his family to prepare for the worst before Tom made an unexpected recovery. He was discharged from hospital more than three months later completely paralysed on his left-hand side and unable to see out of his left eye. The Army veteran had to stop work and began to rely on social services for support. Moving into temporary accommodation back then before a council property could be found suitable for his needs Tom had expected it to be a short-term 'stepping stone' arrangement. But well over a decade later Tom, who relies on an electric wheelchair, remains in limbo – like thousands of others in Bridgend borough and across Wales. He is one of 140,000 people in Wales on a council's housing waiting list but is thought to be one of the country's longest-waiting. Towards the end of last year Bridgend County Borough Council told us more than 250 people in the borough were in temporary accommodation at that point while there were more than 3,000 live applications on the council's housing waiting list – clearly showing how supply isn't meeting demand. Tom, an Army veteran, was a 'workaholic' before he had a brain haemorrhage (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Article continues below Tom, who was a combat radio operator in the British Army, told WalesOnline: 'These houses haven't been built with electric wheelchairs in mind. For my disabilities this home is a good one but it's temporary. 'It's a stepping stone into a permanent home. The council moved me here because I faced being homeless. And it was the only place a council had for an electric wheelchair. 'As soon as the council find a suitable permanent home I have to leave. But they've said I'll probably be here for the rest of my life.' On Monday the Welsh Government said it had set out a 'bold and ambitious bill which aims to transform our response to homelessness'. You can read about the plan here. A spokesman said: 'The homelessness and social housing allocation (Wales) bill will fundamentally change our homelessness system so it focuses on prevention and providing tools to support people in longer-term homes. 'The bill focuses on a multi-agency response to homelessness, bringing public services together to respond to the varied causes and consequences of homelessness. "It is rooted in evidence and the lived experience of those who have been homeless and is a vital step towards achieving our long-term ambition of ending homelessness in Wales.' Stay informed on Bridgend news by signing up to our newsletter here. Tom said he doesn't blame the council and feels sorry for local authorities having got to know the challenges they face (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Tom said: 'I've seen a lot of flats and bungalows but they are just not suitable. I either can't fit into the bedroom or can't into the bathroom. "They say they're disability-friendly but really they're for people with more minor disabilities or for people with walking difficulties. 'I don't blame the councils. This is happening across Wales where councils are struggling to house people but they can only offer what they've got available. 'In my case the reason I've been in this position for 13 years is because of the failure of successive governments for not insisting properties have accommodation suitable for disabled people. I'm not sure I'll ever be found a permanent home. So technically I could always be classed as homeless.' Article continues below The Welsh Government announced its new strategy will focus on preventing homelessness with early intervention. They said the broad focus includes: 'Transforming the homelessness system in Wales so that it focuses on earlier identification and prevention, targeting action at those most at risk and in particular, providing the opportunity to end homelessness amongst young people leaving care, and focusing on a multi-agency response to homelessness, bringing Welsh public services together to respond to the varied causes and consequences of homelessness.'
