Weekly Round-Up with Miles

25 July 2025

Hi everyone,

Rob is on leave for the next couple of weeks, so I’m stepping in to provide this Friday’s update, something I’m only happy to do after another seven days of outstanding team performance and staff achievement.

Firstly, with the weekend nearly upon us, I wanted to say a bit about GlastonBarry, which returns to Romilly Park on Saturday and Sunday.

Many of you may not know that I play in a band myself from time to time.

Sadly, Second Chance have not been asked to perform at this year’s festival but being a Barry boy and a big music fan, I can say that this year’s GlastonBarry still promises to be another fantastic event.

It is one that the Council is pleased to support given its popularity with locals and visitors alike and the benefits it brings the area. Every year, the festival is estimated to be worth around £2.19 million to the local economy.

In fact, Cabinet recently agreed a new five-year extension to its lease, meaning GlastonBarry will be a fixture in the summer calendar until at least 2029.

Around 6,000 people visit on each of the two days to see a selection of the very best tribute bands.

Our Parks, Events, Highways and other teams play a big part in the event’s organisation. Thank you all for those efforts. GlastonBarry brings a lot of pleasure to people and gives Barry a major boost so that work really is worthwhile. If you are attending look out for me at the front - old bloke, in a Paisley bucket hat!

Speaking of our Highways department, a resident has written to Jane Hutt's office praising the work of that team. 

The email read: "Just to thank you and to inform Jane Hutt that the road surface disaster has been resolved and the very poor surface removed and replaced by proper contractors who have done a wonderful job. 

“Can you relay to Nathan Thomas and his seniors that he carried out his duties in a most professional manner and listened to what we were saying and showing him. He quickly understood what the problem was and that it was not just a moan off residents and agreed the work standard was very poor and it was rectified very quickly indeed. Also, thanks to Kyle (I am sorry I don’t know his surname) and Russell the sweeper (Barry Island Facebook beach cleaner who is now known worldwide). 

“All three of them have pulled together and in lightening time cleaned up not only the close roadway but the gravel and sticky tarmac. So, from all at Cotswold Rise, we thank them for their help.”

Well done, Nathan, Kyle, Russell and team for your work in this area. It has resulted in one extremely satisfied customer who is clearly very appreciative.

On the subject of recognition, Tracey Smart won two silver and two bronze awards at last week’s Local Authority Catering Awards Finishing Touches competition in Birmingham.

No-one collected more trophies than Tracey, who was representing the Big Fresh Catering Company.

Her cupcakes and cheesecake gained second places, while Tracey scooped third prizes for her tray bake and vegetarian quiche.

Carole Tyley, Managing Director of Big Fresh, said: “We’re so proud of the work Tracey continues to achieve at Palmerston Primary School with the pupils. Tracey has her own garden where she has grown blueberries, strawberries, runner beans and tomatoes. The pupils pick the produce with her and she prepares it for their salad/fruit bar.

“I’m so proud that we have passionate kitchen managers and teams who want to provide the very best for our pupils in the Vale.”

Natalie North, who leads the kitchen at Gwaun y Nant Primary School, also won a bronze award in the ‘Eat them to Defeat them’ national competition.

She provided pupils with a variety of fruit, vegetables and salad items, introducing them to new flavours and meal options.
This is the second year Natalie and the team have placed in the top three schools.

Congratulations Tracey, Natalie and teams. It’s great to see that Big Fresh is once again leading the way when it comes to delivering top quality school meals.

On a related topic, Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS), on behalf of Food Vale, has launched the Food, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Grant.

The aim is to empower local organisations to address inequalities within the food system and ensure that all members of the community have access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food.

The grant scheme is a collaborative effort by Food Vale, a partnership including the Council, Welsh Government, and GVS, with all committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable food landscape across the county.

It will support initiatives that focus on:

• Addressing Food Insecurity and Injustice: Projects tackling food poverty, limited access to nutritious food, and the disproportionate impact of food-related health issues on vulnerable populations.
• Promoting Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from the local food system.
• Supporting Diverse Communities: Enabling organisations to develop tailored solutions that meet the unique food-related needs and challenges of specific community groups
• Fostering Sustainable Practices: Encouraging environmentally friendly food production and consumption methods that contribute to a more resilient food system

Examples of activities that could be funded include:

• Establishing or enhancing community gardens.
• Supporting the vital work of food banks and pantries.
• Delivering practical cooking classes and food education programs.
• Advocacy efforts to shape more inclusive food policies.
• Initiatives that promote and provide culturally appropriate food options.

Organisations in the Vale of Glamorgan can ask for a maximum of £2,500 in revenue funding and all awarded funds must be spent by the end of March next year.

I would encourage anyone who is involved with a project along these lines to apply, but quickly as the deadline is August 1.

The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) recently held a session on improving access to benefits and is looking for participants to with this work in the future.

Of particular interest are the insights and experience of anyone who:

• Identifies as part of a marginalised group.
• Represents marginalised individuals (such as through a third sector organisation or council).
• Can connect the CDPS with relevant communities or networks.

Those keen to contribute to this work are asked to email benefits@digitalpublicservices.gov.wales.

As we are nearly at the end of Disability Pride Month, I wanted to point you towards a really thought-provoking piece that one of our colleagues has written about living with a largely unseen disability.

Hollie Smith from the Communications Team is partially deaf and has shared her experiences of how that affects her working life.

Hollie writes: “Deafness is a non-visible disability, and I often felt that because my own hearing loss could not be seen, I didn’t feel like it was worth it to advocate for myself. I was told as a child that hearing aids wouldn’t benefit me due to my specific type of hearing loss – and the single-sided cochlear implants weren’t a readily-available option in the late 1990’s when I was a child.

“For most of my life, I felt like I had to quietly adapt, to minimise my needs so I wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the hearing world around me.

“But learning to advocate for myself, embracing the tools that support me, and connecting with others who share similar experiences, helped me realise that I don’t have to walk the tightrope alone. I now take pride in the identity I once kept quiet. Being hard of hearing isn’t something I need to hide or overcome - it’s simply a part of who I am. And in claiming that, I’ve found a louder, prouder voice than I ever thought possible.”

I would strongly encourage everyone to read the full article on Staffnet if you haven’t already.

It truly is an inspiring and enlightening article.

Lastly, I wanted to draw your attention to a special offer for staff.

Organisers of the Fantastic Fete at St Donat’s Castle on August 2 and 3 are giving Council employees the opportunity to save 20 per cent on admission. To redeem the offer, colleagues will need to visit streetfoodcircus.co.uk and use the code FFWK20.

This is applicable for the Saturday 6pm to 10pm and Sunday 3pm to 8pm time slots.

For more information about activities for the whole family over the summer holidays, click here.

All that’s left is for me to thank you all for your efforts this week.

I can assure you that Rob, the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) and I never take them for granted and are always appreciative.

Whether you’re going to GlastonBarry or not, please enjoy your weekend.

Miles