27 November 2020 

Dear Colleagues, 

I hope you have all had a good week.  

There has been further positive news this week about the development of vaccines with many recent media reports in relation to the development of various types of COVID-19 vaccines and when these may be available. It is therefore timely to provide an update on planning for the roll out of a vaccination programme across the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff and for the vaccination of some Council staff.

The situation is fast moving and operational plans for both mass vaccination of those most vulnerable to COVID-19 in our communities, for front-line health and social care staff and other key workers are currently being finalised.

The Council has been working and continues to work closely with the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board on many aspects of the regional response to COVID-19 and this includes the provision of a vaccine once one becomes available. 

A vaccine centre in the Vale of Glamorgan will be required and Holm View Leisure Centre has been identified as the possible location as it meets all of the criteria set by the Health Board. The Council’s Cabinet will formally consider the lease to the Health Board of Holm View Leisure Centre for this purpose on Monday (30/11/20). 

In the coming months we will see a mass immunisation programme on an unprecedented scale. Plans are developing at pace, but these will of course take time to deliver and the mass vaccination of members of the public is still some time away. 

The news of vaccine for COVID-19 is of course very welcome, coming at the end of the year that has seen the virus dominate all of our lives. We must not, however, allow ourselves to become complacent. 

In all circumstances it is important that we all still adhere to the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance and ensure we are social distancing, washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings in public places to limit the spread of the virus.

To help support our residents in staying safe in the run up to the Christmas period, our Regeneration team have launched a new shop-safe campaign in the Vale’s town centres. The team has been facing up to the challenges throughout the pandemic and colleagues have been working hard to support local businesses while also keeping the Vale safe from COVID-19.

As of next week, town centres in the Vale of Glamorgan will have new coronavirus safety signage installed in the form of bollard covers. By helping visitors to our town centres understand better how to keep each other safe and take responsibility for their own safety I believe they have found just the right balance. The guidance about trying to visit town centres at less popular times, keeping our distance and wearing face coverings when indoors is something we should all heed whenever we are out and about.

If I may, I would also encourage you to consider shopping locally for Christmas this year, to support our local retailers in the Vale of Glamorgan. It really makes a difference to our local business community and we have some excellent retailers on our doorstep.

Barely a week goes by without seeing the work of our colleagues being recognised by others. I would like to offer my congratulations and wish the best of luck to three of our Education colleagues who have been shortlisted for Professional Teaching Awards. Tracy Mills and Gavin Packer are finalists in the Youth Work in Schools category, while Yvonne Hawkins of Palmerston Primary has been shortlisted in the School Manager/Bursar category. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Sunday. Pob lwc i chi. 

I would also like to thank those staff who have taken the time to give their colleagues a shout out through the new appreciation page on Staffnet+. It’s been lovely to read the messages that have been shared so far and really brings home to me what a fantastic team we have in the Vale. If you have not yet done so, I would encourage you to take a look at the page and leave a message for a colleague. 

As we did last year, we will also be publishing an advent calendar on Staffnet+ and on Social Media to highlight some of our many achievements this year. I have seen some early work on this and it really does reflect the importance of the work that we have delivered throughout the year, despite the most difficult of circumstances.

It also demonstrates the dedication and enthusiasm of all colleagues working across our organisation. These highlights will be shared from the 1st to the 24th of December so please keep an eye out for them. I hope this will be a positive way to reflect on a challenging year for us all.

Stay safe. 

Diolch yn fawr.

Rob