13 August, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well, at the end of the first week where we have seen a significant easing of restrictions in Wales.

I know this has prompted many staff to start thinking about their working arrangements and any possible return to the office. Work is progressing  well on our plans for future office accommodation arrangements and I hope to be able to offer a full update in September. In the meantime, I’d remind everyone that the Council’s position is in line with the advice of Welsh Government that everyone should continue to work from home wherever possible. The interim arrangements shared in July are still in place and more information on these can be found on StaffNet+.

In another big step back towards normality, we have this week launched our first programme of resort events to take place in over a year. Alongside the Festival of Flowers, which I mentioned last week, a Big Beach Build sandcastle competition and a national beach volleyball tournament will also be drawing visitors to the Vale. Our events officer, Sarah Jones, has been busy preparing for these and had this to say:

“We are really excited by the events programme this year, and we hope visitors and residents of the Vale will enjoy the variety we have on offer. They are a great way to enjoy time with family and friends while becoming reacquainted with some great destinations across the Vale.”

For more information on the events that are coming up, please go to visitthevale.com/events.There is lots going on right throughout the summer period for people to enjoy safely. Thank you to Sarah and all involved from across the organisation in this exciting step forward for the Council, da iawn, I’m sure the events will be as popular as ever. 

This week also saw the launch of a new Food Pod which will allow residents in Penarth to pick up a bag of shopping at a lower cost. Food poverty has been a big focus throughout the pandemic, and I’m pleased that we have been able to support another initiative for some of our communities that need it most. I’d like to thank the housing department’s community investment team for their role in coordinating this project along with volunteers from Helping Hands and the STAR Resident’s association. This will make a big difference to people in that area of the Vale and I'm proud of the work we’re doing to help people who need it most.

As part of the Summer of Fun programme, we are looking for young aspiring artists who would like to showcase their work at an exhibition at Art Central Gallery in September. If you know anyone aged under 25 who would like to submit a piece of work please ask them to contact artcentral@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk by Monday 16 August. Works can then be delivered to the gallery on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 August. Please see our Art Central Gallery webpage for more information. 

I’m going to close this week’s message by looking ahead to Monday and saying thanks in advance to all of those who will be working to support the launch of GovService, the Council’s new customer experience platform. The new system will change how we handle customer enquiries and allow us to deliver on our objectives of putting every customer first and providing truly citizen focused services. Monday’s launch with Neighbourhood Services is the culmination of months of hard work by colleagues in Customer Relations, ICT, Business Improvement and of course those working in Neighbourhood Services themselves. Thanks to everyone who has made this happen so quickly. 

I hope you all have a good weekend. Take care.

Diolch yn fawr,

Rob.