16 July, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you’re well and enjoying the sunshine. I’d like to begin this message by congratulating all of our schools-based staff at the end of another extremely challenging school year. It has been a year like no other, but you should all be extremely proud of what you have achieved and how you have continued to deliver despite the huge challenges.  Happy summer holidays, I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved break.  

On the subject of breaks, I will be taking some time off next week so our Director of Learning and Skills, Paula Ham, has kindly agreed to write an end-of-week message to you while I am away. Diolch Paula and I look forward to reading it on my return.  

I’m sure you will have all seen the announcement made by the First Minister this week regarding the next steps in the easing of restrictions in Wales. In summary they are as follows: 

From Saturday 17 July 

• up to 6 people can meet indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation; 
• organised indoor events for up to 1,000 seated or 200 standing can take place, subject to a risk assessment and taking reasonable measures; 
• ice rinks can re-open;
• the legal restrictions on the number of people who can gather outdoors will be removed; 
• up to 30 children from organisations, such as the Brownies and Scouts,will be allowed to attend residential centres over the summer holidays. 

A further and more significant easing of restrictions in Wales should come into effect on 7 August. More information on this can be found on the Welsh Government’s website. SLT colleagues and I will be reviewing our face-to-face service provision in the coming weeks to ensure these are in-line with the easing of restrictions. As I confirmed recently, our working arrangements for office-based staff remain unchanged at the current time and more information can be found on Staffnet+. 

The easing of restrictions would not be possible without the ongoing mass vaccination programme, that’s being facilitated by Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board. The Bayside and Holm View mass vaccination centres are now offering first and second dose walk-ins for local residents and I would encourage anyone who has not yet had a vaccine to attend. Vaccinations are breaking the link between the virus and getting seriously unwell for all age groups and protect ourselves and others.  

Many of you will be aware that the Council has taken over the running of the Penarth Pier pavilion.  As part of our ongoing commitment to those who had previously booked weddings at the venue, this weekend will see the first wedding take place. 

I’d like to say a huge thank you for all those staff who have made this possible.  Since taking over the pier pavilion, we have opened a new Café run by our own trading company – Big Fresh and we have had assistance from across the organisation to ensure that we were able to get the pavilion up and running again.

Nothing has been too much trouble for Jo Lewis who has stepped up to assist whilst we appoint a new Pavilion Manager and Carole Tyley, Managing Director of Big Fresh. As my SLT colleague Trevor Baker told me:

“neither have anything to do with weddings in their regular jobs but have been working with the Council and wedding folk to make their day special, and have been true #rockstars. 

"In terms of impact, you’ve got the two mentioned above, plus support from registry/H&S/Property (rockstars in their own right – nothing is ever too much trouble) to make someone’s wedding happen, despite COVID”. 

 
Well done all- fantastic work and this shows what can be achieved when we work across the Council and pull together.  Diolch yn fawr iawn.  

I know Paula will want to share more information about the success of Big Fresh when she writes to you at the end of next week.  

You may be aware that new car parking charges are being introduced at our Country Parks from Monday, to bring them in-line with charges also levied at coastal resorts. To combat displacement parking in nearby residential areas, residents have been encouraged to apply for a free parking permit, as resident only zones will be introduced to surrounding areas.  

If you live in the Vale you can check if you are eligible and apply for a permit on our website. It is also intended that town centre car parking charges will be introduced in September, and residents in certain surrounding areas will also able to apply for permits.  

Season tickets for coastal resorts and Country Parks are also available for frequent visitors. To find out more and apply for a permit or purchase a season ticket, please visit our website. My thanks go to all colleagues within Neighbourhood Services who have been working hard over recent weeks on ensuring the roll out of all the permits, the traffic regulation orders and all the on street signage in time for next week – it has been a huge task, and your efforts are really appreciated.  Diolch yn fawr. 

I know our Country Parks and coastal resort management teams are gearing up for a particularly busy summer period. I hope our resorts are enjoyed responsibly and thank you all in anticipation of the hard work that will be done to keep our visitor attractions safe and tidy in the coming weeks. 

You may have also seen that the Vale Public Services Board has this week launched a consultation this week which will help inform their Wellbeing Assessment. The aim of the ‘let’s talk’ survey is to gain an understanding of residents’ experiences of services and life in the Vale of Glamorgan, with the overall aim of improving the wellbeing of our communities. If you live in the Vale of Glamorgan, please take a few minutes to complete the survey.   

Finally, I’d like to congratulate Marcus Goldsworthy, our Head of Planning & Regeneration, who along with friends, has raised £2,200 for Macmillan Cancer Support this week. Marcus (in the bright green shorts!) played 4 rounds of golf throughout the day yesterday, starting at 05:30am and finishing with a well-deserved drink in the sunshine around 9.30pm last night!  

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend, or summer break. Take care. 
Diolch yn fawr, 
Rob