FREE wi-fi in all town centres, reduced speed limits in residential areas and a multi million pound refurbishment project for Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion are among Labour’s plans for Bridgend county borough.
The Bridgend County Borough Labour group has revealed the key pledges of its manifesto ahead of the local government elections on May 5. This year, the party has 49 candidates running for seats in wards across Bridgend.
Among the promises of delivering other redevelopment projects across the county borough should they win in May, the Labour group said they will bring a luxury four-star hotel to Porthcawl and secure a £12 million fund to refurbish and extend the town’s Grand Pavilion.
Here are some of the other stand out pledges.
Town centers:
If Labour takes control of Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) in May, all town centres will benefit from free Wi-Fi.
Group leader of the Labour party at BCBC following the 2017 election, Huw David, said the CCTV network in Bridgend is also being “completely overhauled and replaced” – something that has influenced the proposal of free Wi-Fi.
He added:
“We know how important free Wi-Fi is to people now. We want Wi-Fi to make sure that people have that option and [to] make our town centres more attractive.”
Communities and environment:
Communities across Bridgend County Borough will see new 20mph speed limits brought in if Labour takes control of BCBC in May.
Mr David said: “One of the pledges is to reel that out in residential streets across the county borough. We believe it will and can help us to reduce the number of accidents and improve air quality.”
The idea of introducing 20mph speed limits in residential areas was proposed by the Welsh Government last year.
As well as planting 30,000 trees, Labour say they will do their bit to help the planet by installing 100 charging points for electric cars.
They have also pledged to refurbish all 107 children’s play areas in the county borough and invest an extra £10.5 million in a major road resurfacing programme.
Cost of living and care:
Labour said they will support all care workers in Bridgend County Borough by paying them at least £10 per hour and continuing to cap non-residential care fees for older people.
They will also continue to make cost of living crisis payments of £150 per household to all householders in bands A-D for 2022/23.
Free school lunches for all primary age children by September 2023 will be introduced, as will the offer of free childcare for all two year olds.
More Stories
Victim named as police appeal for witnesses to fatal road traffic collision in Port Talbot
Power round the Gower on E-bike
Cardiff man who used Snapchat to groom has been jailed