Rob's Weekly Round-up
01 April 2022
Dear colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well at the end of another busy week in the Vale.
As we head into April, spring is definitely in the air, and the good weather offers more opportunities to take part in our Miles to Ukraine campaign in support of people affected by that terrible conflict.
I’ve been incredibly humbled by the staff response to this initiative so far.
Now in its third week, staff have covered over 1,500 miles on our virtual journey from Barry to the Ukrainian border, taking part in activities that include walking, running and even knitting!
We’re now less than 300 miles away, but that is no reason to ease off as this weekend promises fantastic conditions for exercise and for getting out and about.
The greater the distance covered, the more help we can offer, and who knows, we might even make it back to Barry!
This fundraiser will run until the end of April so there’s still plenty of time to plan your activity.
Hopefully we can continue the fantastic momentum shown so far over the next month.
To date more than £1,300 has been raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal through donations and those fundraising efforts.
The Accountancy Team have walked around Romilly Park and the Knap, Vicki Walker and Chris Keepins from the Building Control Team climbed Pen Y Fan and the Creative Rural Communities Team followed a long stretch of the Iolo Morganwwg Heritage Walk through beautiful farmland, woodland and heritage sites.
Cosmeston Lakes has proved a popular setting for activity, with the Housing Solutions, Homes 4 U, Resource Management and Safeguarding teams all clocking up the miles there.
The Resources and Planning Team joined colleagues from Performance and Information to walk along Barry Island and Promenade, while the Visit the Vale team also held a team meeting there to raise money for the cause.
I’d like to pass on my sincere appreciation for all that staff have done in support of this campaign.
The money raised will make a real difference to those worst affected by the war.
Any team wishing to take part can log their miles on the Miles to Ukraine hub on Staffnet and donations can be made through the Just Giving page.
I know there is other work going on in the Council to support Ukrainian refugees, and I have to pay tribute to Tom Dodsworth and Mike Ingram who are at the forefront of this. They are working with other public sector colleagues to help organise how the needs of individuals arriving from that conflict can best be met.
Yet again, this demonstrates how, in a very real sense, the Council can have a positive impact on a global issue.
It is also important that we make a difference locally and this week some colleagues attended the ‘Stronger Together’ New Local conference around the issue of community empowerment.
New Local is an independent thinktank and local government network that aims to transform public services and unlock community potential.
There will also be a session facilitated by colleagues from New Local for Chief Officers next week to further explore how we can continue to develop and strengthen our position as a listening organisation and work more closely with communities to make positive change.
A number of good examples of this approach already exist within Creative Rural Communities, Housing and the climate conversation around Project Zero, but we strive to be more ambitious with this agenda. There is always more we can do.
This type of collaboration forms a key part of our Annual Delivery Plan and Reshaping programme, with the Public Participation Strategy offering a framework for how to take this work forward.
Among other achievements, it is this kind of innovative thinking that we plan to celebrate at the returning Staff Awards.
After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus because of coronavirus, the ceremony that shines a light on Council success will again take place at the Vale Resort on September 30.
Information on categories and how to nominate an individual or team will soon appear on Staffnet so please check back for details.
On the subject of recognising staff contributions, I would like to pass on my best to a couple of people who have recently left the organisation.
Anne Lintern, who worked as Resource Centre Manager in Adult Services, has retired after 26 years with the Authority, while Tourist Information Coordinator Julie Morgan retires following 22 years’ service.
I hope you both enjoy a relaxing, long and healthy retirement with more time to spend with family and friends.
Finally, as always, I’d like to thank all staff for their efforts over the last seven days and wish you an enjoyable weekend.
Diolch yn fawr iawn,
Rob