Robs Weekly Round-Up

25 November 2022

Dear colleagues,

I start this week with a reference to the world cup getting underway and despite the very disappointing result this morning, the passion and emotion from Cymru fans has not go unmissed.

Many of you will have seen the efforts of our colleague and dedicated Cymru fan, Richard Taylor in decorating the Council Tax offices with Cymru flags.

With many of our staff supporting Wales, a Staffnet+ page has been set up to highlight some of the ways our colleagues are marking this historic tournament.

If you or your team are supporting Wales, email web@valefoglamorgan.gov.uk with photos or messages to be shared on the page. C'mon Cymru!

This week has been as busy as ever in the Vale but I am going to start with two updates from last Friday.

That evening, the Big Fresh Spirit Event 2022 was held at Penarth Pier Pavilion, the event being put on as a way to take stock of the Big Fresh team’s impact and commitment over the last few years and to say thanks for everything they have done in supporting our schools, communities and the Vale as a whole. At the same time, it was an opportunity to recognise some outstanding individual contributions and celebrate the success of those who’d completed training and qualifications in recent years.

Considering the team behind it there were no surprises that it was an absolutely first-class event. More than 100 Big Fresh staff were able to attend and together they raised £450 for the Salvation Army. The night of celebration was fully funded thanks to the generous support of our partners and all proceeds from the evening’s bar takings will now be reinvested into our schools.

I’d like to thank every member of the Big Fresh team for all they’ve achieved in recent years and for continuing to lead their sector with their innovative business model. Diolch yn fawr pawb. With the financial challenges that lie ahead we are going to need more innovative approaches like this across the organisation to ensure that we continue to deliver for our residents and communities.

I’d also like to give a special mention to Rhys Jones from our Youth Service who volunteered to help manage the bar and the venue and who played a huge role in ensuring everything ran smoothly. Cheers Rhys!

The Big Fresh team weren’t the only ones celebrating last weekend. Friday marked the end of National Safeguarding Week and the holding of the annual Cardiff and Vale Safeguarding Awards at which the ESFM team from Learning and Skills scooped the Exceptional Commitment to the Safeguarding of Children. This regional recognition of their fine work is no less than the team deserve. Gwaith da pawb!

Fingers crossed for this coming week, as on Wednesday, the development of the new Southpoint school at Rhoose, Wales’ first zero carbon school, will be up against other schemes at the Royal Town planning Institute UK wide Awards.  Pob lwc..

On the theme of climate change, you will I hope have seen that we have published a series of articles on StaffNet+ to mark Wales Climate Week. Each one reviews on of the projects that will help us achieve our net zero goals under Project Zero.

The first, explained how Helen Moses and her team have helped to establish the Project Zero Board, which oversees the Climate Change Challenge Plan, helping to ensure our efforts are joined up and I’d like to welcome our new Project Zero Programme Manager Susannah McWilliam to Team Vale, who will play a vital role in driving this forward.

I’d like to thank Joanna, Lisa and Marcus for their work on their respective projects which made up the other pieces of work highlighted in the series. Every item is well worth a read so if you haven’t already please do take the time. In doing so you’ll find out how the Vale has recently been recognised a leader in Wales as part of the Every Mouthful Counts scheme.

You will by now hopefully have also seen that this week we launched our Santa’s Cause campaign.

Earlier this year we showed the power, generosity, and selflessness of Team Vale when our Miles for Ukraine campaign raised thousands of pounds. We are now seeking to raise funds for those closer to home.

It is a sad consequence of the cost of living crisis that more children than ever face the prospect of having nothing to open on Christmas Day. This year in the Vale that number could be as many as 1500.

For a number of years our Children Services team has worked with local community groups to fundraise for gifts to give to the families they support. With the need greater than ever colleagues from across the Council have pulled together this year to develop a fundraise scheme to ensure no child will go without.

I know many colleagues will be worried about the cost of their own Christmas and there is no expectation on anyone to get involved. However, for those who can give something there is the opportunity to make a big difference to a family’s Christmas.

There will be more to come on the Santa’s cause campaign and I look forward to updating you with more good news on the difference we are able to make.

On a similar theme the Mayor’s Christmas card competition has returned for 2022 and is open to budding young artists from across the Vale’s primary schools. For the competition, the Mayor is asking schoolchildren to submit designs for the annual Christmas Card that will be sent to civic leaders and other dignitaries for Christmas 2022. The lucky winner will also be invited to have tea with the Mayor.

If you know anyone who’s like to enter the competition, they can submit their card designs along with their name, age, school, and a contact address either by post to the Mayor’s Office or by email to Mayor@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk. The closing date for entries is Wednesday 30 November.

Finally, I’d like to make all colleagues aware that I am taking part in a Question Time session next Wednesday at 12:00pm. As always, I am happy to have a go at answering any and all questions from colleagues. You can book you place online and submit any questions between now and the day of the session. If you would like to watch the session but cannot attend on Wednesday then sign up and you will be sent a link to the recording as soon as it's live on iDev.

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

Rob.