Rob's Weekly Round Up

08 August 2025

Hi everyone,

I’m back on end-of-week update duty today after delegating to colleagues for a couple of weeks.

Thanks to Miles Punter and Lance Carver for stepping in to send out the Friday messages over the last fortnight.

As always, I can see there has been lots going on, and there’s also no shortage of news and staff achievements to share with you this afternoon.

Firstly, I wanted to bring you up to speed on a long-running project that is moving closer to completion.

A scheme to transform the old public conveniences at Nell’s Point into a restaurant and commercial units is gathering pace.

Developers Next Colour - the company behind Oyster Wharf in the Mumbles – are currently upgrading the 100-year-old Victorian building.

After securing its structural integrity, a series of restoration projects are underway to preserve some of the space’s original features, including terrazzo floor tiles that date back to the 1920s.

A number of high-profile names have expressed an interest in opening outlets at the site, which will include a 4000-square foot restaurant.

The restaurant has already been assigned to the coffee-bar chain Loungers, who have branches throughout South Wales and the South-East of England – including Ocho Lounge in Penarth.

It is hoped work will be finished by the end of the year.

This scheme has taken time and at points presented significant challenges, so I’m delighted to see such progress being made.

Thanks to all the staff who have worked so hard to get to this point – this promises to be a really exciting development that will add significantly to Barry Island’s appeal.

I also wanted to pay tribute to a number of colleagues who have completed qualifications as part of their ongoing professional development.

Donna Parker, Rebecca Pereira and Nikita Harrhy from the Youth Service recently attended graduation ceremonies where they collected university degrees.

All three now have a BA Honours in Youth and Community Work from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Rebecca also received a Recognition of Academic Excellence Award, while Donna gained an Excellence in Professional Practice Award.

“This award reflects a student’s contribution to the programme and their outstanding achievements,” said Donna. “With over 1,500 students in their final year across the School of Education and Social Policy, being selected for this award was an incredibly proud and humbling moment for me.

“Not bad for someone who left school with just a handful of GCSEs! It just goes to show what’s possible with the right support, determination, and a passion for the work we do.”

Housing Development Officers Sam Rosser and Callum Matthews also celebrated academic success after they officially graduated from the University of South Wales at a ceremony at the ICC in Newport. Sam and Callum successfully completed Higher National Certificates in Built Environment and received a Distinction grade each.

The pair plan to continue their studies later this year by pursuing degree-level qualifications in construction.

And another to doth a cap and gown was Jasmine Emery from the Communications Team, who now has an MSc in Global Ecology and Conservation from Cardiff University after achieving a Distinction grade.

Congratulations to you all.

I don’t underestimate how difficult it is to combine study with a full-time job so your dedication and commitment is truly admirable.

To find out about the learning and training opportunities available to staff, please visit the Occupational Development section of Staffnet.

Graduations such as these are just one example of how colleagues across the organisation continue to grow and achieve great things.

The Youth Service recently held its annual awards event, which celebrated the wide variety of work this department is involved with.

Prizes were handed out in the categories of: Welsh Development and Culture, Youth Inspiration, Project of the Year and Creating a Better Vale, while the Young Person of the Year was recognised and Aaron Davies was named Youth Worker of the Year.

The event was supported by various local businesses, who helped with arrangements and donated gifts and raffle prizes for those attending.
Throughout the summer holidays, the Youth Service has helped organise activities such as sports camps, beach days and geocaching sessions, in which a mobile phone’s Global Positioning Systems is used to hide and seek containers.

Members of the team also attended the Flying Start Family Fun Day and hosted an It’s a Knockout style competitive sporting event for 240 young people from across the region.

That brought together colleagues from Bridgend, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taff for a session of games and sports to develop teamwork and collaboration for future events.

Senior Youth Engagement Officer Peter Williams said: “A big well done to Annette Harrison and the team for arranging this event. It was the first regional youth service event for several decades, with the Vale winning the title this year!”

Throughout the summer, young people from the Vale have also been contributing towards the Big Barry Clean, with an amazing 22 bags of rubbish collected.

Such a fantastic effort demonstrates the pride this group have in their local communities.

Training courses and one-to-one sessions will take place during the remainder of the school holidays before term-time provision resumes in early September.

Well done to all involved with the Youth Service. The variety and quality of opportunities you are providing our young people is really impressive.

More information about the team’s work can be found on its Facebook and Instagram pages, while anyone interested in working with the service is asked to get in touch by email.

Speaking of summer events, Art Central in Barry is hosting an art and craft car boot sale on Wednesday between 10am and 4pm.

There will be a colourful mix of paintings, handmade goods and unique crafts from talented local producers available to buy.

It is also possible to book a stall for a fee of £20.

Next, I wanted to draw your attention to a consultation being run by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB).

It wants to hear the views of interested parties which will help develop a plan for how health services will be delivered over the next 10 years.

That roadmap will be coproduced with local communities and be built on the values of inclusivity, honestly and consistency.

I would encourage all staff to take part in this survey to help the UHB get the right care in the right place at the right time.

On a related subject, colleagues from the Council’s Childcare and Early Years Team recently attended a march in Victoria Park to raise both awareness and funds for The Oliver Steeper Foundation.

The Foundation was established by Zoe and Lewis Steeper in memory of their son Oliver, who tragically passed away at just nine months old after choking at nursery.

In his honour, the charity provides free anti-choking devices to registered childcare settings across the UK.

The march was led by local childminder Sara Sharpe, who said: “It was heartwarming to see fellow childminders join me for the march, along with representatives from the Vale Childcare and Early Years Team, Corum Pacey and Councillor Belinda Loveluck-Edwards.

“As a childcare provider who has received one of these life-saving devices, I felt compelled to give back to the Foundation and help raise awareness so that others can benefit—whether by purchasing a device or applying for a funded one. These devices truly have the potential to save lives.”

Finally, I wanted to pay tribute to two members of staff who have recently retired.

Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) Special Investigations Officer Marc Adam Jones is taking a well-deserved break after more than 20 years in local government.

Marc started his career as a Student Environmental Health Officer (EHO), completing his studies in 2002 with a First Class Honors Degree in Environmental Health.

He then undertook a brief spell at Swansea Council as an EHO, before moving to the Vale of Glamorgan Council as an Environmental Health Officer (Health and Safety) in 2003.

In 2015 Marc became a Specialist Investigations Officer as part of the newly created Shared Regulatory Services and has been in this position ever since.

Well done Marc. I know you have been involved in some really important work over the years that has led to a series of prosecutions and helped to keep residents of the Vale and broader SRS region safe.

Sarah Smith, Team Manager for Financial Crime and Intelligence, has penned Marc a very personal and unique farewell message, which I’m sure she’ll share on request.

Area Development Officer Debbie Lewis is also retiring after nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the Vale Council.

Debbie ran the creche at Cadoxton House from 1996 and later establishing a Breakfast and After School Club for the local community.

Her passion for learning blossomed as she transitioned into Playwork and began her own lifelong learning journey.

Debbie became a tutor and played a key role in piloting qualifications for Adult Education, becoming the Adult Education Officer at Palmerston Centre in 2002.

Mark Davies, Operational Manager for Partnerships and Community, said: “Deb’s drive and energy have continued to move the service forward. She not only inducted and supported me with her vast knowledge and experience, but also worked tirelessly to ensure her successor is well-prepared. She leaves behind a service to be proud of, and I wish her all the best.”

Congratulations on all your achievements Debbie. I’s like to wish you and Marc a very happy retirement.

To everyone else, have a restful and relaxing couple of days if you’re not in work.

Thank you for your efforts this week – they are, as always, very much appreciated.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob