Robs Weekly Round-Up

02 September 2022

Dear colleagues,

Be it back to school or back to work, the start of September always feels like a moment of change. Before looking ahead to all that the next academic year and the rest of 2022/23 will hold I’d like to thank all those that have made the summer such a success.

I’ve mentioned those behind the Summer of Fun a number of times in recent weeks. The events will continue into September but this still feels like another moment to recognise what a difference the events programme will have made to families this summer.

I’d also like to thank all those that represented the Vale at Pride Cymru last weekend. It was clearly a fantastic event and the GLAM contingent did Team Vale proud. In particular, I’d like to thank Tom Narborough, Elyn Hannah, and Hawys Davies for all their work to organise the Council’s attendance – banners, placards and all! Diolch pawb. The Pride flag has now been lowered at the Civic Offices as we move to celebrating Merchant Navy Day this weekend. 

Next week will see a return to, or the start of, their school lives for many children and young people across the Vale. After the unpredictability of the last few years I know the return to something approaching a ‘normal’ school year will be a source of comfort to many. I also know it will be no less challenging for all of those colleagues who work to teach, support, and inspire our pupils. I wish them all the best for the year ahead.

One notable change in how we work this school year will be the provision of free school meals for all pupils in reception class and years one and two. Our Big Fresh team has been working closely with schools across the Vale to enable us to rollout the free meals to many more pupils than in other parts of the country. This great work will mean that as many children as possible will be able to enjoy a healthy free meal next week. If you have children in school, either in the Vale or elsewhere, then don’t forget to check the information on the Welsh Government website to see if you are entitled to any help with school costs.

Next week will also see the return of formal Cabinet and committee meetings after the summer recess. This municipal year will be another one that sees us address some big challenges: the budget, supporting residents and staff in the cost of living crisis, delivering on our Project Zero commitments, and pushing ahead with our digital agenda to name just a few. Our work on these fronts never stops. The latest digital development is the launch of the Civico platform for all Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings from next week. Our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint has also been boosted this week with the unveiling of the first solar powered bus stop displays in Barry and Penarth. I will have more information on the continued roll out of EV charging points in the Vale in the weeks that follow.  Thanks to all that made these developments possible.

If you are in the Civic Offices next week you may want to visit the courtyard garden, where last week a memorial plaque for our greatly missed colleague Martin Garrett was placed on one of the benches. It is a fitting place to remember Martin who did so much to make the Civic an enjoyable place to work. All staff are welcome to enjoy the well-being garden in the courtyard. There are three benches and two picnic tables and the garden offers a great space to get away from your desk and enjoy nature. I’d like to thank Lynn Clarke and Ben Winstanley for all their work to establish and maintain the garden.

They would welcome any help with the space so if you would be happy to roll up your sleeves for a couple of hours or have any unwanted pots, plants, bulbs, or garden tools you’d like to donate just let them know.

On behalf of everyone at the Vale I’d also like to say farewell to Ann Williams our Principal Officer for Safeguarding after 50 years of service with the Vale. Ann retires this week and her outstanding contribution and dedication to Social Services in the Vale deserves great recognition.

During her career Ann has worked as a Social Worker and Social Work Manager across a range of teams and has shown great dedication to the children and families with whom she has worked. She will be greatly missed by colleagues and more so the people she supports.

Ann, thank you for everything and enjoy your retirement. Diolch a pob lwc.

I’d also like to say congratulations Suzanne Jones, currently our Exchequer Manager, who will become the new Operational Manger from October. Sue has a wealth of experience, both in the public and private sector and will no doubt have a big impact in a key post.

Finally, your chance to nominate a colleague for the Staff Awards may have now passed, but if you know an individual or group which you believe deserves wider recognition, please consider nominating them for a St David award. The St David Awards are the national awards for Wales and celebrate the aspirations of Wales and its citizens as a modern, vibrant country that values innovation, community spirit and above all, its people. You can find details of the award and how to submit a nomination online.

As always thanks for you efforts this week. Diolch yn fawr pawb.

Rob.