The newly-formed Bettws Forum has big ambitions for improving their community over the next five years, and want as many local residents as possible to get involved.
Thanks to £5,000 funding from Bridgend County Borough Council’s Reach Rural Development team via their ‘Thriving Rural Communities Fund’, members of the Forum have appointed consultant Gareth Osborne to carry out public consultation to help develop their plans which centre on four priorities for Bettws - housing, public transport, sport and recreation, and community regeneration.
Among the proposals the Forum is looking at is the creation of a sports hub based at the new Bettws Primary School. The plan is to utilise the school’s new all-weather sports pitch so that it can be used by the local community outside of school hours.
To get involved and share your views on the future priorities for Bettws, please email gmoconsultants@gmail.com.
Councillor Charles Smith, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Education, said:
"It’s great to see such a proactive community coming together. I’m sure that their actions can encourage other communities to create their own forums too and follow the template of the Bettws Forum."
The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
There are 21 rural wards in Bridgend County Borough that are eligible for rural development funding. If you have ideas for your rural community that you would like to develop, please visit www.bridgendreach.org.uk or email reach@bridgend.gov.uk for further information.