Meet the Project Zero and Community Impact nominees

The Staff Awards are just 6 weeks away and we’re pleased to introduce our nominees for the next round of categories.

For the first time ever, our sponsors will be choosing a winner for the new Project Zero category, which recognises colleagues who have made a significant contribution to the organisation’s climate change agenda.

Active Travel Officer, Lisa Elliot, has played a vital role in promoting and encouraging Active Travel, including securing two million pound in Welsh Government grant money to progress and construct active travel routes. She has also introduced a number of schemes, including OVOBikes, WOW and the Common Place platform for Active Travel consultations.

Lisa said, “I’m really pleased to have been nominated. I’ve worked for the Council for 7 years and during that time seen how our active travel networks and projects have started to transform the landscape and attitudes. I’m particularly proud of our OVO Bikes scheme, which is now expanding across the county.”

Also up for the award is the Energy Team, who have successfully switched 15,000 lanterns to LED, installed ground source, heat pumps and combined heat and power units throughout the estate.

Barry Island Primary have also been recognised for their excellent work on Project Zero. They developed a whole new work plan to focus on climate change, including food, transport, biodiversity and energy and buildings.

Gwyn Nelson, leader of the Vale’s Coastal Management has been nominated for his work with pupils. Under the umbrella of Project Zero and impact of coastal flooding, Gwyn visited feeder schools and developed lessons and organised fieldwork visits to Whitmore Bay for all schools involving over 150 pupils.

The Community Impact award returned for this year’s ceremony.

Colleagues in Housing have been nominated for their work on the Penarth Food Pod. The scheme addresses food poverty in one of our most challenging estates in Penarth. 

Project Lead, Mark Ellis, said: “I’m really pleased that the efforts of the Housing & Building teams have been acknowledged. This was a cross department project and we collaborated to get the Food Pod ready in just 3 months.

“The project has been well received by the community and I am very proud of how the project has evolved with volunteers from the local area becoming community champions and taking pride in their neighbourhood.”

The Covid Grants Response team has been shortlisted for their work during the pandemic. They administered 18 grant schemes worth over £50m and worked closely with individuals at risk of losing their homes and income to find further discretionary sources of funding.

The Flying Start Team has been shortlisted for their work in supporting some of the county’s most vulnerable families, in particular providing opportunities during the pandemic.

Finally, Aaron Davies has been lead worker of the Gloves in the Gym, Knives in the Bin project.  This project aims to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of young people aged 11+ whilst also working to prevent knife crime by providing educational awareness on this subject. 

Good luck to all nominees.