Still lots of cash to help projects

ONLY half of Bridgend’s county councillors have made use of a new fund which enables them to spend up to £5,000 each on community projects.

The £270,000 community action fund which started in October 2017 ends this October with any unspent funding going into the council’s reserves.

So far 27 councillors have applied for funding from the scheme putting it towards projects ranging from compost toilets and pianos to adventure trails and kitchen equipment.

Councillors are able to use their funding for as many projects as they want ranging from £500 to £5,000.

They can also join up with other councillors to fund projects.

However, up until June 21, just £77,000 had been used for projects.

Council leader Huw David has used his £5,000 to help provide extra space at Cefn Cribbwr Primary School for additional learning needs, while cabinet member for social services Phil White has provided grants to Caerau Community Growers to help buy a compost toilet and to the Caerau Development Trust for a defibrillator.

A report which went before Bridgend county borough council’s audit committee last week said councillors had given a mixed response to the scheme.

Some praised it but others said the application process needed to be simplified and said the money would be better spent on issues such as grass cutting and filling in potholes.

Interim finance officer Gill Lewis said a review would take place once the scheme had ended.