19 March 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are all well and have had a good week. Following the Welsh Government’s announcement last Friday, we saw the return of many pupils to our schools this week. I’m sure it has been a very busy week for all our schools' staff, and it was great to see pupils and colleagues at Ysgol y Ddraig this week on the ITV news talking about their return to school with such enthusiasm. I know this would have been felt in all our schools across the Vale who are looking forward to welcoming back more pupils in the coming weeks. As ever, I’m grateful for all your hard work, particularly over the past 12 months as I know they have been particularly challenging. 

Gareth Davies, acting Headteacher at All Saint CIW Primary has taken the time this week to write to Tracy Dickinson, Head of HR and Organisational Development, to thank her and her team for their support throughout the pandemic. Gareth went on to say,

‘I would like to express my utmost gratitude to both Karen Phillips and Kayleigh Lacey for their unwavering support and advice on a variety of issues - nothing is ever too much trouble for them and their responses are swift, accurate and always very supportive. They are both absolute legends in my eyes!

 ‘Stay safe and I look forward to building on this fantastic relationship in the future.’ 

As I have said repeatedly through this message, emails such as this are always a pleasure to read and I’m really grateful to you Gareth, for taking the time to share your feedback, but also to Karen and Kayleigh for your excellent work. Diolch! 

Yesterday, we launched a follow-up to last year’s staff wellbeing survey. We would like to use the survey results to inform the next steps of our Your Wellbeing / Eich Iechyd programme, to consider our future ways of working and to ensure we continue to support you as we continue to navigate the challenges ahead. If you haven’t done so already, please take a few minutes to share your views with us. Your views are important and they will help shape the future direction of the organisation for which you work.

Next week we will be marking the 1-year anniversary of the pandemic, paying tribute to those who have y passed away sadly and those whose lives have been affected by the events of the past 12 months. In line with the Welsh Government’s plans, we will observe a 2 minute silence on Tuesday 23 March at 12pm. For those of you who are working remotely, perhaps you can use this time to pause and reflect on how all of our lives have been affected by Coronavirus. We will be marking this occasion in a number of other ways throughout the week, please keep an eye out for more information which will be shared from Monday.

Next week we will also be saying a fond farewell to Pam Toms, Operational Manager in Housing, who will be retiring after working for the Vale of Glamorgan Council for 31 years. Pam has held a number of roles within the organisation since first starting as a Benefits Assistant in December 1989 and moving to the Housing service in December 2001. Pam postponed her retirement because we were in the middle of the pandemic. Her Head of Service, Mike Ingram has said,

'Pam loves her holidays and travelling and is intending to go on a long cruise when things improve. Pam is looking forward to spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren who live away and she hasn’t seen in person for some time. Her husband is retiring at the same time and she is looking forward to her leisure time and picking back up on her many interests.

’Pam has been an exceptional officer and will be greatly missed I know by colleagues, members & partners alike.’

'A true professional who over a 30-year career in finance & housing at the Vale has contributed hugely to the success of the Council. I am extremely proud to have been able to work with Pam and grateful for the support she has given me and the Senior Management team during her distinguished career.’

Since the start of the pandemic Pam and her team have dealt with 3,500 homelessness enquiries and supported 527 people with temporary accommodation and helped protect many vulnerable individuals from the worst effects of the crisis. On behalf of the whole Council - thank you, Pam , for everything you’ve done over the years. I have enjoyed working with you and have appreciated your advice and input on a wide range of topics. A valued colleague, I hope you enjoy a well-earned, long and happy retirement. 

At the end of next week the First Minister will conduct a review of the current restrictions in Wales, and we expect a further easing of some restrictions to be announced on Friday. As ever I will write to you to provide you with an update as soon as possible following this announcement. 

I hope you all have enjoyable weekends; I just have one last thing to say, COME ON CYMRU! Fingers crossed for a Grand Slam weekend.

Take care and stay safe.

Diolch yn fawr,

Rob