Robs Weekly Round Up

04 August 2023

Dear colleagues,

I’d like to begin this message by updating you on some sad news I shared earlier in the week.

Graham Conibear, a very popular former member of staff, who spent more than 30 years working for the Council, passed away recently and I now have details about his funeral arrangements.

There will be a service at Barry crematorium at 12 noon on Tuesday 22 August followed by a wake at Bryn Hill Golf club, and Graham’s family have said that all who are able to attend are welcome. I’m sure you’ll again join me in passing on sincere condolences for their loss.

On a happier note, I am delighted to say that Carole Tyley, Managing Director of the Big Fresh Catering Company, has been shortlisted for a Womenspire Award.

Organised by Chwarae Teg, a charity the strives for gender equality, the Womanspire Awards recognise women’s achievements in every aspect of life from personal successes to outstanding contributions.

Carole was nominated for her work with Big Fresh, the Council’s independent catering company, which delivers free school meals and services to pupils throughout the Vale, alongside other operations.

After beginning her career in school kitchens, Carole has risen to be responsible for over 230 staff, delivering over 15,000 meals to pupils every day. 

She has also been a driving force behind the Vale becoming one of only a handful of Local Authorities in Wales to offer these free of charge to all primary school pupils.

I am sure you will join me in congratulating Carole on being a finalist for the award - Carole, the recognition is richly deserved, and all the best for November 9 when the winner is announced.

Sticking with Learning and Skills, I also wanted to pass on my appreciation to Morwen Hudson, Martin Dacey and all those that have been involved in the School Attendance campaign.

A lot of hard work has seen the Vale improve significantly in this area to become one of the top six best performing Local Authorities in Wales.

I know Martin was particularly grateful for the support received from other departments, which was a good example of the type of cross-directorial working we strive for in our organisation.

Well done to everyone who played a part. Da iawn a diolch.

A major ICT incident caused serious disruption at the start of the week as many staff experienced network and connection issues.

I’d like to thank colleagues from that department, the Property Team and our Emergency Planning officers for the hard work they put in to get everything up and running again so promptly.

Some were working from the early hours of Monday morning to fix the problems and ensure everyone could get back to normal business as quickly as possible. Those special efforts are very much appreciated - Diolch.

I also wanted to draw your attention to the consultation on our Draft Digital Strategy, which runs until September 8.

This is the latest piece of Council-wide work that is helping to shape the organisation for the future and builds on our People Strategy, work around Project Zero and the Financial Strategy.

This new draft Digital Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for the organisation to transform our approach to digital. We will seek to work together and with the community in new ways to transform our services and embrace the potential that digital technology offers.

I’m very grateful to the 100-plus colleagues who took part in workshops earlier this year, facilitated by the Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation, helping shape the key vision and themes for this strategy. Thank you for the role you played in getting us to this position.

The pace of change has accelerated in recent years, in particular because of the pandemic which revolutionised the way many of us work and interact. This was also a time of learning and investment, and this strategy seeks to build on our previous achievements and further transform our digital culture.

It sets out an ambitious vision for the organisation to revolutionise our approach to digital.

Our digital vision is “Open to new ways of working together and with the community to enhance our services. Ambitious and proud to transform our digital culture in order to unlock our digital potential.”

The draft strategy consists of four themes:

• Community and Involvement
• Organisation and Processes
• Digital People and Skills
• Data and Insight

We are now seeking the views of all colleagues and partners on the contents of the draft strategy. We are in particular looking for opinions on the themes and actions that set out how the vision will be met. I would be grateful if you took the time to read the draft strategy and share your thoughts.

The Leader and I visited a new development at St Cyres Court recently, the latest in a string of projects to help address significant housing need in the Vale.

Fourteen one-bed flats have been built for the over-55s and finished to a really high standard.

Andrew Freegard has done a fantastic job overseeing this and other, similar schemes. Well done Andrew.

Each property can accommodate two people and the development includes dedicated parking bays along with a low-maintenance communal garden.

The rooms have been specially adapted for those with mobility issues and include a lift to all floors, storage facilities and widened hallways. 

There are a total of three floors, with each apartment containing a bedroom, kitchen and lounge area, and a wet room.

This development follows on from the 23 new homes that were built at Hayes Road and 28 at Llys Llechwedd Jenner in Barry.

A scheme to construct 11 new homes at Holm View in Barry, four of which are adapted bungalows specially designed to meet the needs of a disabled family member, has also been completed. 

These properties are very much in demand as an increasing number of people require Council housing. Developments such as this make a real difference to people’s lives, giving them high-quality homes in which to live. Well done everyone.

Tuesday marked the end of Disability Pride Month, which offered employers the opportunity to celebrate, raise awareness and highlight prominent voices in this area.

With that in mind, I’d like to draw you attention to the Vale Staff Disability Support Group, which formed earlier this year and meets regularly.

Colleagues with experience of disability, mental ill health and neurodiversity are encouraged to share their thoughts on how the Authority can better cater for their needs.

People may have ideas on how the workplace could be improved so that everyone feels fully included and supported.

For more information, please contact Colin Davies.

I’d like to finish this update by wishing everyone taking part in the Barry Island 10k on Sunday the very best of luck.

I hope the weather stays dry and you finish with the time you want.

Whatever your plans this weekend, have an enjoyable and relaxing couple of days and, as always, thank you very much for your efforts this week.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

 Rob