Robs Weekly Round Up 

25 August 2023

Dear colleagues,

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

The Let’s Talk About Life in the Vale survey that I mentioned last Friday has now launched and I’d urge everyone to take a look and share your thoughts.

This is a far-reaching consultation exercise that asks residents about life in the Vale and the issues that matter to them.

Covering every aspect of Council responsibility, it gives people living in the County the chance to share their experiences of public services, their priorities for the future and will help us better understand how to get more people involved in local decision making.

The plan is to hear from as many people as possible, including staff, so please, when you have five minutes, consider expressing your views.

They will be important when it comes to setting policy and delivering services in the future.

The success of this exercise very much depends on the number of responses received so please also pass on details of the survey to friends and family.

Everyone who participates will have the chance to win one of 10 £50 Love2Shop vouchers, which can be spent in a wide variety of high street shops and restaurants.

Yesterday was GCSE results day and I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all Vale students, school staff and parents on another fantastic performance.

Pupils will now be looking towards the next stage of their education or employment journey and that could be with the Council.

There are a range of apprenticeships and traineeships available within the organisation, offering young people practical experience and a comprehensive understanding of particular roles.

They are an attractive alternative to formal study routes for some, while such schemes contribute towards our corporate objective to increase our number of young employees. 

Managers are encouraged to consider whether there is scope for an apprentice to join their team and contact Organisational Development and Learning if they would like to know more.

By investing in their growth, we can shape the next generation of talent, while benefiting from fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. 

With the academic year coming to a close, now is the perfect time to consider whether an apprenticeship might be the right solution.

The range of apprenticeships and fully funded qualifications available in Wales is growing and offers the opportunity to shape and mould talent according to individual requirements.  

There are currently apprentices working across the organisation in all directorates in a variety of roles, but we need more.

A similar initiative, known as the QuickStart Scheme, run by the Communities for Learning Plus Employment Team, has recently closed.

That offers paid job placements for 18 to 24-year-olds within the Council.

It has been met with a tremendous response from departmental managers, meaning the initial plan to offer 10 placements has increased to 14.

Again, there are a range of available roles and these will be advertised very shortly.

Emily Woodley in the Human Resources Team has played a key role in coordinating the process, while Lloyd Harries and the Communities For Learning Team have met over 70 young people this week at Barry and Penarth job centres.

Employability workshops are being run over the coming weeks to improve young people’s skills and help them with interview techniques. Well done to all involved.

As some students leave school, others who said their goodbyes a long time ago recently got back together for a reunion.

Staff of Maes-Y-Coed, pupils and their parents met at the Flying Start Centre 65 years after the school first opened its doors.

Maes-Y-Coed, on Gladstone Road, provided education and support to children and young people with additional learning needs, one of the few schools at the time providing such services.

It has since been transformed into the Flying Start Team’s base, offering both English and Welsh medium childcare, play and development sessions, and parenting classes.

The old school boasted a number of unique facilities, including a sensory pool, with many pupils living in the nearby Barry Hostel where they were cared for full-time by a dedicated team of staff.

Maes-Y-Coes closed after larger specialist schools were built, such as Ysgol Y Deri, but some of the people who were taught and wrked there have stayed in touch over the decades.

Flying Start Centre Manager Kathryn Clarke and former Headteacher Barbara Milhuisen were among those who attended for a trip down memory lane.

What a fantastic event to organise. It just goes to show what a lasting positive impact Council facilities can have on the people that use them.

Sticking with the education theme, a series of Welsh Language courses are available free of charge to Council staff and Members.

It is not necessary to take leave or use personal time to attend as they can form part of the working day.

Work Welsh co-ordinator Sarian Thomas-Jones or Equalities and Welsh Language Officer Elyn Hannah have more information.

Courses are run on a range of days and at different times so view the schedule to see which would be most suitable.

Sadly, I had to write about the tragic news of Phil Southard’s passing earlier this week.

I’m sure all who knew Phil were deeply shocked and upset at hearing the news. As referenced in my earlier message, Phil will leave a lasting legacy across many communities in the Vale of Glamorgan such was his hugely positive impact. 

Having occurred suddenly this week, Phil’s passing is particularly raw at the moment and I would again encourage anyone who needs support to contact our counselling service, Care First.

They can be reached by calling 0800 174 319, while Occupational Health colleagues are also on hand to assist.

I will share details of Phil’s funeral as soon as I have them.

Graham Conibear’s funeral took place on Tuesday of this week and I’m sure his family were touched to see so many of you line the pavement as his hearse drove by the Civic.

Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to pay tribute to Graham. I attended his funeral service that day and I know that gesture was greatly appreciated.

Finally, I wanted to show my appreciation to the Housing Team and staff from a number of departments for their help managing a difficult issue.

For the last 18-months or so, the Copthorne Hotel has been used as temporary accommodation for people fleeing persecution and threat in their own countries.

Dealing with the needs of a large number of people has been extremely challenging, while sensitivities around the hotel’s use have only made that job harder.

All families have now been moved out of the Copthorne and it is no longer being used for this purpose.

Work by Kate Hollinshead, Ian Jones, Katherine Partridge and colleagues to manage the situation, support and rehome people required commitment and dedication in equal measure.

I’d like to thank everyone involved for their efforts with this. It was handled with consummate professionalism.

Huge appreciation too for your contribution this week. It is never taken for granted.

Have a restful and relaxing couple of days.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob.