23 July, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

As Rob mentioned in his message last week, he has asked me to write to you with an update today as he’s taking a break – he definitely chose the right week weather wise! I hope you’ve been coping with the hot weather this week and enjoying some of the sunshine. 

Firstly, I would like to mention the Summer of Fun programme that has been funded by the Welsh Government but organised and facilitated by our Healthy Living Team. The Welsh Government created the Summer of Fun programme in response to the impact of the Covid pandemic on children and young people. The programme aims to engage children and young people in free accessible play, leisure, recreational, sporting and cultural activities to support improvements in their social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing, and their recovery from the impact of Covid restrictions on their daily life. I’m sure you will all agree that this is vital work and I’m pleased that the Welsh Government has recognised the impact the pandemic has had on children and young people.

This is another example of colleagues across the Council working as Team Vale. As well as the Healthy Living Team, I’d like to say a really big thanks to the others who’ve been involved in pulling together this programme at short notice, including , Dave Knevett, Debbie Maule, Joanne Jones, Karen Davies, Kathryn Clarke, Mark Davies , Phil Southard , Rhys Jones and Tara Reddy. Diolch yn fawr too, to Cllr Kathryn McCaffer - Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture for her support for the programme.

As well as the Summer of Fun programme, there’s more on offer for our children and young people this summer. The Family Information Service have pulled together a summer activities programme, which is being updated throughout the summer as more events and activities are confirmed. Take a look at our website for more information and some inspiration! Thank you to Becky Wickett and the whole FIS team for coordinating this work.

On Tuesday the Adult Learning Service held its annual Inspire Awards ceremony. This year the event was held outdoors in the grounds of Palmerston Adult Learning Centre, where the permitted number came together to celebrate the achievements of both adult learners and tutors over the past, very challenging, academic year. Several learners were recognised for their achievements after being nominated by their tutors for going the extra mile to progress with their studies. And several tutors were in turn nominated by their grateful learners to recognise the support and commitment they gave to their classes during this academic year. I’d like to congratulate all of the worthy winners and especially thank the committed tutors for their ongoing contribution to adult education.

Speaking of Team Vale, I’m thrilled to be able to share the news that schools have benefitted from their first share of profits made by Big Fresh Catering in their first year of trading. Each school working with Big Fresh has been allocated a share of £250,000. There is also an additional £60k grant funding available for schools to bid for a share of for other projects. In sharing the news with schools my colleague Trevor Baker said:

“It was a rollercoaster 15 months for the new company but with the total support of all Big Fresh staff and our schools we made it.  We made a promise in our Business Plan than schools would share in the company’s fortunes and I’m happy to say we’ve been able to keep that promise.”

I’d like to add a huge congratulations and thank you to Carole Tyley, Symon Dovey and all staff at Big Fresh for making this promise a reality through your hard work and determination. I wish Big Fresh every success in the future and look forward to seeing what’s next on the horizon for our catering company as well as visiting their café at Penarth Pier Pavilion for a delicious coffee and some cake! 

Rob mentioned in his message last week that Carole Tyley has also played an integral role in the success of the Big Fresh Café at Penarth Pier Pavilion. Carole and her team have also been working hard to get a bar up and running at the Pavilion in time for the first wedding we’ve hosted at the Pier last weekend. Working closely with Jo Lewis, Phil Southard and Rachel Protheroe ‘the dream team’ made one happy couple’s dreams of their big day at the Pier a reality. You can read more about how they worked together to make this a success. It looked truly stunning.

Monday saw the introduction of car parking charges at Cosmeston and Porthkerry Country Parks, as well as resident permit zones in areas surrounding Cosmeston and Barry Island.  Miles Punter, Director of Environment and Housing Services would like to say:

“A big thank you to Highways staff for their efforts in turning this project around in time for the school summer holidays. I’d also like to say a particular thank you to Jo Lewis and her team for processing and issuing over 1,000 residential parking permits in 10 days and to our new enforcement officer recruits who issued 90 parking warning letters in one afternoon, to vehicles parked in just two of the residential parking zones not displaying a valid permit.”

Seeing colleagues develop their skills in this way is great. 

I would like to congratulate colleagues from Housing Services who have succeeded in their housing studies at Cardiff Metropolitan School of Education and Social Policy. Hedd Wyn John has graduated with a Distinction in his Housing Studies Diploma and is also now a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Dawn Bailey has gained HNC Housing Studies with Merit. And Maria Low has successfully passed year 1 of the HNC with an excellent mark profile. Congratulations to you all, I hope you can celebrate in some way this coming weekend.

A shout out for Team GB as the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games get underway this weekend. I'm sure they will do us proud despite the extraordinarily challenging circumstances. 

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Thanks to you, and to Rob for letting me make a guest appearance in his weekly message!

Paula