Message from the Managing Director

21 January, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well at the end of another busy week.

On a national level, the news is increasingly hopeful as the impact of the Omicron variant appears to be receding.

Welsh Government is continuing to ease restrictions as we move towards Alert Level Zero and from today there are no legal limits on the number of people that can meet outdoors.

Nightclubs are also set to reopen from next Friday, with Covid passes needed to enter. They will also be required at theatres, concert halls and other large events.

From January 28, there will be no restrictions on meeting people in hospitality settings and no requirement for table service or two-metre physical distancing. Working from home also moves back from law to guidance.

As far as the Council is concerned, staff can continue to work flexibly whether this be from home or the workplace based on the business needs of their teams and what’s best for their own wellbeing. As has always been the case, the requirements of our residents, client groups and customers must come first. I would encourage all colleagues and managers to continue to liaise to ensure that the approach taken within teams ensures we keep our colleagues safe and that our residents continue to receive excellent service.

If anyone wants to discuss their own personal circumstances, please raise this with your manager.Clearly, these are very encouraging signs and, though we are by no means out of the woods, the current position should give us cause for optimism as we look ahead to the rest of the year.

There is also plenty to be upbeat about when we consider some of the fantastic work taking place in the Vale.

The new-look Pencoedtre High School opened recently, with pupils now being taught in an ultra-modern three-storey building following a £35 million investment at the site.

Pencoedtre is the latest school to undergo comprehensive improvement work as part of our ambitious and far-reaching 21st Century Schools programme. Similar redevelopment has recently been carried out to deliver a brand new Whitmore High School and a superb remodelling of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg. A range of other projects to upgrade education facilities are also taking place across the County.

This latest project has seen the creation of a dining hall, a courtyard, a sixth-form area, performance spaces and excellent sporting facilities, including an all-weather hockey pitch, grassed football and rugby pitches, games courts and an indoor sports hall.

The completion of such extensive, high-quality work is testament to colleagues in the Council’s 21st Century Schools team, who have already won several awards for their stellar performance.

Those fantastic efforts are also set for further publicity next week when the media visit Pencoedtre to highlight just what an impressive development it is.Staying with Learning and Skills, it was great to see Barry Island Primary School making good use of the money they’ve received from the Big Fresh Catering Company

.The school has built an alfresco dining area for pupils and staff to enjoy when eating their lunch or having a coffee.

It was made possible thanks to the success of Big Fresh, with schools able to apply for a Good Citizenship Grant on top of the £5,000 payment made as part of the company’s profit-sharing scheme.Barry Island Primary spent the money on the dining space, which allows children to enjoy views of the playground during breaktime.This project serves to further illustrate the real difference Big Fresh is making to Vale schools and their pupils. 

The establishment of a trading company to deliver our catering service, which enables money to be reinvested into the service and into our schools, is just the type of innovation we need as we progress with our Reshaping transformation agenda. Carole Tyley and her team deserve immense credit for what Big Fresh has achieved so far, with more exciting plans in the pipeline.

Speaking of congratulations, I wanted to say a personal well done to Louise Jones on the British Empire Medal she was recently awarded.

A social worker in the Vale with the Adult Services Team for 10 years, Louise went to great lengths to help the many residents suffering from loneliness and isolation at the start of the pandemic.

Her efforts provided real comfort and support to people at an extremely challenging time and this recognition is richly deserved.

I’d also like to mention Bronnie Griffiths from the Healthy Living Team, who has completed a Masters Degree in Leadership in Sport.Bronnie has spent the last two years studying at the University of South Wales alongside her job. To study for a Masters Degree while working full-time takes real commitment and dedication. Well done Bronnie.

Lastly, I wanted to draw attention to the range of new Welsh language courses organised by Welsh Government beginning at the end of the month.Entry and Foundation Levels are available at half price by using a promotional code, while there is a free pre-course taster on offer. 

The Welsh language is an important part of the Council’s vision for the future and I would encourage anyone interested to sign up.Additional funding is available for Council staff, Vale school employees and those on universal credit.

More information can be found in this article.

I sign off by thanking you all for your efforts this week. As we head deeper into 2022, I sincerely hope that all the early indications of declining covid rates continue and that some of the pressures and challenges also reduce. 

Have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Diolch yn fawr,

Rob