Robs Weekly Round-Up

05 August 2022

Dear colleagues,

I’d like to start with congratulations to all of those who have been shortlisted for this year’s Staff Awards and who would have received their good news this week. To be nominated for an award is a real accomplishment and everyone who was put forward for an award should be very proud that their colleagues wished to see them recognised. With more nominations received than ever before, there was extremely strong competition across all award categories. It is therefore a huge achievement to be shortlisted and all those that were should be very proud of themselves. You can see the full list of those shortlisted, along with details of the event and how to buy tickets on the Staff Awards hub on StaffNet+.  More information and updates will be published on staffnet and staffnet+ over the coming weeks as we build up to the awards evening itself on 30 September.

This week has seen our Sports and Play team host a hugely successful family fun day at Romilly Park in Barry. The event to celebrate National Play Day on Wednesday brought hundreds to families to the park. It was a great example of teams across the Council working together, with the Youth Service, Flying Start Team, Family Information Service, Vale Parenting Service, Adult Learning Team, Strategy and Policy, and Communications teams all integral in making it a success. As well as giving many families a free day of activities during the summer holiday the event highlighted the important role that play has on children and young people’s physical health, mental health, and relationships. The day was part of the Summer of Fun programme that will run until the end of September and I’d urge you all to check out what else is planned on our website. Da iawn pawb.

Project Zero represents a major focus for the Council in the coming years and so is one of a number of areas we’ve asked for your views on in this year’s Staff Survey. This year’s survey is bigger than any previous exercise and so far the response has been very encouraging.  The survey is a real opportunity for staff to shape how the Council will work in the future. It covers health and wellbeing, senior leadership, line manager support, communication and working conditions. Our colleagues’ responses will inform key decisions in these areas.  We’ve now had more than a thousand responses from colleagues but we want more and it is still not too late to share your views. The survey will close on Monday 08 August so if you haven’t yet had chance, please tell us your views before the deadline. Anyone completing the survey online will also have the chance to enter a free prize draw and could win afternoon tea for two, a pair of tickets to a performance at Penarth Pier Pavilion, or a weekend in one of the Barry Island beach huts.

As we head towards Pride Cymru later in the month, I would like to bring your attention to an event that our GLAM and Diverse networks are hosting. The Uni-Tea event on 10 August will be an opportunity for staff who want to get involved in this year’s Pride Cymru march to meet their fellow marchers, members and networks. Our GLAM and Diverse network teams will be there, offering information on how we support diversity and inclusion within the Council. You can also register your interest to join us for the Pride Parade on the 27 of August. More information is available on Staffnet+.

Finally, I’d like to wish good luck to Team Vale who are representing the Council at the Barry Island 10k this weekend. The team are raising funds for the Mayor’s Foundation which supports voluntary and community groups across the Vale with small grants. They are almost halfway to their target of £1000.  Someone who has collected an initial £325 towards the target is one of our runners, Craig Nichol.  This money has been raised by the his customers and gives an indication of how much Craig’s work is appreciated by his clients on the National Exercise Referral scheme at Penarth and how much he personally contributes to making the scheme such a success. Da iawn Craig and good luck to you and other runners over the weekend.

You can find out more about the team, why they are running, and how to donate on their StaffNet+ page. Pob lwc tîm.

Thanks as always to all colleagues for your efforts this week. Diolch yn fawr pawb.

Rob.