Here is a summary of the Bridgend Council Cabinet meeting held on 23 September 2025.

The Cabinet approved the implementation of a delegated authority policy for social services, moved forward with town centre access improvements, and agreed to consult on a draft houses in multiple occupation (HMO) supplementary planning guidance (SPG). They also reviewed treasury management activities and Estyn ¹ inspection outcomes, among other items.

Bridgend Town Centre Access

Cabinet members agreed to pursue an 18-month experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) for Bridgend town centre access improvements. This decision followed a consultation report on the proposals. The ETRO includes:

• Extending loading and unloading hours to 11:00 and recommencing after 16:00, with flexibility for emergencies and events.
• Permitting cycling within pedestrian zones, pending safety risk assessments.
• Converting under-utilised taxi bays on Derwen Road to blue badge parking bays.

The Corporate Director Communities has been delegated authority to establish monitoring and evaluation arrangements, and to modify, suspend, or revoke the order if required, in consultation with the appropriate cabinet member. The Corporate Director Communities is also authorised to submit and accept external funding and enter into contracts necessary to deliver the measures, in consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance, Housing & Change and Chief Officer - Legal & Regulatory Services, HR & Electoral. A further report will be presented to Cabinet regarding a permanent position on the ETROs, as well as an update on the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan projects.

Outdoor Recreation Facilities Supplementary Planning Guidance

The Cabinet approved presenting the final form of the Outdoor Recreation Facilities SPG to the council for adoption. This followed consideration of consultation responses on the draft guidance. The SPG supplements Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) Policy COM10: Provision of Outdoor Recreation Facilities. Two changes were made to the draft SPG following the consultation:

• Insertion of a reference to the 'Including Disabled Children in Play Provision Position Statement' by the 'Play Safety Forum' under the Local Community Needs and Accessibility heading within Section 7.0 Designing Outdoor Recreation Facilities of the draft SPG.
• Updated web-link to Play Wales' document, 'Creating Accessible Play Spaces toolkit' under the heading 'Design Guidance by Outdoor Recreation Facility Typology' within Section 7.0 Designing Outdoor Recreation Facilities of the draft SPG.

Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Guidance

The Cabinet approved the draft HMO SPG as the basis for a six-week public consultation period. The SPG provides additional planning guidance to support adopted Policy COM7, and aims to strike a balance between supporting housing choice and preventing the over-concentration of HMOs in any given locality.

The Cabinet also agreed to amend Table 2 of the report, to start contributions for allotments and local areas for play (LAP) for developments of 11 to 50 dwellings.

The Corporate Director - Communities and Group Manager - Planning and Development Services are authorised to make minor presentational, typographical, or factual corrections prior to the public consultation, and to undertake the consultation and report the results back to Cabinet for approval, before seeking adoption of the final HMO SPG by the council.

Treasury Management Quarter 1 Report

The Cabinet noted the treasury management activities for the quarter ending 30 June 2025, as well as the Treasury Management Indicators for the period 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025 against those approved in the Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26.

Anti-Money Laundering Policy

The Cabinet approved the updated Anti-Money Laundering Policy.

Social Services Representations and Complaints Annual Report 2024/25

The Cabinet approved the Annual Report on Social Services Representations and Complaints for 2024/25.

Delegated Authority Policy

The Cabinet approved the implementation of the Delegated Authority Policy into the Social Services and Wellbeing Directorate.

Outcomes of Estyn Inspections of Schools in Bridgend During Spring Term 2025

The Cabinet noted the report on the outcomes of Estyn inspections of schools in Bridgend during the spring term 2025.

Cabinet, Council and Overview and Scrutiny Committees Forward Work Programmes

The Cabinet noted the Cabinet, Council and Overview and Scrutiny Committees' Forward Work Programmes.

Information Report for Noting

The Cabinet acknowledged the publication of the report on Representation on Cabinet Committees and Member Champion.

Representation on Cabinet Committees and Member Champion

The report noted changes to the appointment of members to Cabinet Committees, and that Councillor Jane Gebbie, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health & Wellbeing, has been nominated as the Authority's Future Generations Champion.