Join Council’s Chief Executive For Facebook Q&A On Future Budget Plans

The public consultation over Bridgend County Borough Council’s future priorities and budget plans takes to Facebook this week, with the authority’s Chief Executive holding a live Q&A session. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Darren Mepham will be taking over the council’s Facebook account from 6.30 – 8pm on Wednesday 9 November to chat with local residents about how the authority should tackle the challenge of having to cover a funding shortfall of £37million by 2021. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council has identified a range of proposals for bridging the gap in funding, and residents are being asked to share their views on each of them as part of the ‘Shaping Bridgend’s Future’ consultation, as well as suggesting alternative ways that the council could save money or bring in more income. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Mepham said: “This Facebook session is a great opportunity for residents to take part in our consultation and let us know which council services are most important to them. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We provide hundreds of services for our local communities, businesses and organisations, and we need to make sure that their opinions are factored into the difficult decisions that we need to make as we tackle these significant funding shortfalls.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To take part in the Q&A, visit the council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bridgendcbc from 6.30pm on Wednesday 9 November, and follow the instructions for asking questions that the council will be posting on the page as the session begins. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As well as the Q&A session on Facebook, there are a number of options available to local residents interested in taking part in the public consultation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council has produced an online survey for residents to share their views, and everyone that completes it will receive a free seven-day pass to a Halo leisure centre, plus a chance to win a number of prizes ranging from a full year’s free Halo membership and a family ticket to this year’s pantomime at Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion (terms and conditions apply). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Residents are also able to discuss the budget proposals at community engagement workshops or visit the council’s consultation team at information stands In Bridgend and Maesteg markets: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Community workshops (booking is essential – call 01656 643664 or email consultation@bridgend.gov.uk): ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Caerau Community Centre, 6pm on Thursday 17 November.
• Brynteg Lower School, Bridgend, 6.30pm on Monday 21 November.
• Porthcawl Rugby Club, 2.15pm on Thursday 24 November.

Information stands between 11am – 3pm at: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Maesteg Market on Thursday 10 – Friday 11 November.
• Bridgend Market on Monday 14 – Tuesday 15 November.

Mr Mepham added: “Whether it’s joining me on Facebook, attending one of our community engagement workshops, visiting our information stands or simply filling in our online survey, I’d urge everyone to play their part in shaping Bridgend’s future by taking part in the consultation.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council’s public consultation runs until Thursday 1 December. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​