12 November, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you’re all well.

As COP26 draws to a close, I wanted to begin this week by expanding on my message of last week by highlighting a couple of other projects that will help us reach our target of net zero carbon emissions. 

Firstly, our colleague Emma Reed was invited to speak about active travel at one of COPCymru’s Regional Roadshow events this week. The session was about strategies to support a change of travel habits. Emma gave a comprehensive overview of the electric bike hire scheme that was launched in Penarth a year ago. 

One of the key elements of the electric bike hire scheme is the location of the docking stations, allowing commuters to pick up electric bikes from Penarth train station, for example, in order to continue their journey in a sustainable way.  The bikes can also be used for recreational activities, as there are docking stations at Penarth Esplanade and Cosmeston Country Park. 

Since the launch of the scheme in the Vale there have been 11,963 rentals (approximately 1,000 per month). There have unfortunately been some issues recently in the Cardiff area with the scheme and  this has meant that the provider, Ovo, have temporarily suspended the e-bike scheme in Penarth. However, it is their intention to return to Penarth and expand the number of stations in early 2022, with docks located in Sully and Dinas Powys.Da iawn Emma for your contribution to the discussion around sustainable modes of transport and encouraging behaviour change and giving the Vale of Glamorgan Council another opportunity to share our innovative ways of tackling climate change. 

Another department contributing to our net zero carbon goals is housing. The 11 units of temporary accommodation for the homeless built at Court Road are net-zero carbon. Millions of pounds have also been invested in fitting external wall insulation to Council homes to make them more energy efficient. We have also committed to all new Council homes being net zero carbon in future. 

We have been running a campaign on our social media channels throughout COP26, and the Court Road project was featured this week. I’m pleased to say that the campaign in general has been well received, and this example in particular. Thank you to all of the officers involved in making these projects a success so far. 

Yesterday, we hosted a service of remembrance for Armistice Day at the Civic Offices. In case you missed it, the service was streamed live through our Facebook page and is available to watch back. 

Finally, I wanted to share a very recent story with you of how the Council got involved in a matter that would not ordinarily be part of our day-to-day business.  A resident (Moira) who lives in Durham got in touch with us recently to donate her Wales v New Zealand rugby tickets to Dale Leach, a Barry veteran who suffered life-threatening injuries whilst serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in 2009. Moira contacted us after seeing Dale featured on a recent episode of Love my Garden and was compelled to do something kind for him as a thank you for all he has sacrificed. Thankfully, through our Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Abigail Warburton, we were able to contact Dale and offer him the tickets, which he gratefully accepted. Unfortunately, the outcome of the match was not as positive for Wales, but I am pleased we were able to help through our veteran's advice service. Well done to all involved. 

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend and Wales have a better result against Fiji this Sunday!

Take care and pob hwyl,

Rob.