10 September, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well. 

When we met as a Senior Leadership Team this week colleagues and I were discussing the fantastic work that has taken place over the past few weeks to prepare for pupils to return to schools safely. In particular, Paula reflected on the phenomenal work that everyone in schools has been doing in addition to other council departments and how this really shows “Team Vale” in action.

I would like to focus this message on all colleagues who’ve contributed to this work. I have been sent some examples which I will elaborate on, but I would also like to just say a big thank you to anyone who has played a role in the return of pupils to our schools this week. Your work really is appreciated. 

Firstly, to our Property and Building Services teams who have successfully delivered a range of refurbishment and upgrade projects over the school summer holiday period. This includes toilet refurbishments at 6 schools, electrical upgrades at 4 schools, and boiler/heating upgrades at a further 6 schools. In addition, other projects completed over the summer include enabling works for projects due to start later in the year, window replacements, drainage upgrades, water main replacements, various external works, as well as the creation of ambulant toilet facilities at 3 schools. The majority of the toilet refurbishment and ambulant toilet works were undertaken by the Council’s Building Services team; with all of the other works being undertaken in the main by local contractors. 

These photographs show the ‘before’ and ‘after’ the toilet refurbishments that were undertaken at Sully Primary. Colleagues have been working 7 days per week to get everything finished in time. With the impact of Coronavirus and Brexit, this has been a particularly challenging year and the work by colleagues in Building Services, as well as Ian Tomkinson along with all of their team members have really stepped up and delivered- thank you for your contributions.  

Next up, the School Transport Team, led by Kyle Phillips. I’ve been told they’ve been dealing with numerous queries from parents in the last couple of weeks as well as organising safe means of transport for pupils. These have all have been dealt with in a calm and professional manner with routes planned, transport in place and queries dealt with. Thank you to all involved in the school transport team, without you numerous pupils would not be able to get to and from school. 

Another team who have been working extremely hard over recent months are the schools ICT and data team and the corporate ICT networks team. They have been working on the Hwb programme, to provide excellent digital access for schools. Most of the work has been carried out during weekends and nights to ensure minimum disruption to the schools. The new cabling and network hardware will improve network performance to learners and future proof the network infrastructure for the schools.These teams have ensured 24,000 young people have access to world-class digital infrastructure.

Throughout the pandemic these teams have ensured that pupils, no matter which school they attend or where in the Vale of Glamorgan they live, they had access to devices and even hand delivered mobile wifi devices to those who needed it at home. One of the main drivers of this work has been to eliminate the ‘post code’ lottery when it comes to access to technology in schools. All pupils will have the same access to digital technology and standards no matter which school they attend.

In addition, we now have over 1,100 Windows and Apple devices enrolled into Hwb’s InTune mobile device management platform, this is fundamentally changing the culture towards IT support in schools, enabling more efficient working and collaboration, whilst also improving IT security and the safeguarding of pupils online. As my colleague Trevor Baker would say, you’re all rockstars and I must also say a thank you to the Headteachers and all school staff who have worked with these teams to ensure a fantastic outcome on this project.  

My final school ‘shout out’ has to go to Chris Britten and his team at Ysgol Y Deri. I’d like to say congratulations on the BAFTA Cymru nomination -  A Special School has been nominated for Best Factual Documentary. We’ll look forward to seeing you glammed up for the digital ceremony and keep our fingers crossed for a well deserved win! Pob lwc. 

I asked Paula what she would like to include in this message and she said:

“My sincere thanks go to all colleagues who have been working extremely hard to prepare for a new academic year. To all school staff I’d like to say welcome back, I hope you had a good break and I hope this first week back has gone well.”

I’'d certainly echo these comments. Diolch i chi gyd. Thanks everyone. 

Our work supports some of our youngest and oldest residents and provides essential services to give people a good quality of life. Before I draw this message to a close, I must mention one other email that came to my attention this week. Lance Carver, Director of Social Services, shared an email that has been sent by a colleague in Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), following the closure of a care home in Tower Hill, Penarth. The way in which this very sensitive matter has been managed has been commended by CIW and shared with their senior leadership team and deputy chief inspector.

Lance highlighted in his email that this is the first time in his career that he has seen such high praise from CIW in a situation that is as difficult as this one. I’m pleased to be able to say that thanks to the professionalism and dedication of our social care workers, all Tower Hill residents have successfully settled into new care homes in the Vale of Glamorgan. Lance closed his message by saying ‘Thank you for looking after our most vulnerable people – they are very fortunate you are here and doing what you do – thank you.’ I couldn’t have put it better myself – thank you, colleagues. 

I’ve used this message to reflect on some of our most recent activity and this comes at the same time as Cabinet will on Monday consider our Annual Report against our Corporate Plan. Reading that report shows just how much we have achieved over the last year in extraordinary circumstances. Working together has make a positive difference to so many of our residents’ lives and will continue to do so. 

In my message next week I’ll be talking about our future plans as a Council, including providing an update on the next phase in our office accommodation project, which will now progress at pace. This was discussed at our joint meeting of SLT and Heads of Service this week and I will be in a position to provide you with a full update next week. 

Finally, don’t forget to have a look at our recently published Culture Book and enter the prize draw to win afternoon tea for two at the Big Fresh Pier pavilion café.

I hope you all have a good weekend. 

Diolch yn fawr,

Rob.