Rob's Weekly Round Up

06 June 2025

Hi everyone,

Firstly, this week I’d like to say a big thank you to Head of Digital Nickki Johns, who stepped in to write the end of week message last Friday while I was on leave - Diolch Nickki.

Before taking a little time off, the Council Leader, Director of Corporate Resources Tom Bowring and I met with a range of partners to introduce them to Vale 2030, our new Corporate Plan.

And I’m pleased to say that document received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the organisations present.

Representatives from Welsh Government, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale College, Glamorgan Voluntary Services, Natural Resources Wales, the Cardiff Capital Region, Transport for Wales, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, Transport for Wales, and six local housing associations all came together to learn about our blueprint for the next five years and beyond. 

Claire Beynon from the University Health Board said: “I’m delighted with the direction of travel. We have appointed a new consultant to lead on housing and homelessness and are keen to work with the Council to reduce health inequalities and support children to have the best start in life.  

Mike James, Cardiff and Vale College’s representative, said: “This is an excellent plan. Thanks for the support with investment in the Vale. We’d really like to know how we can be part of work going forward, particularly on economic resilience”. 

Richard Mann of United Welsh Housing Association said: “We need a long-term solution for homelessness, and I can see cultural change in the Council which is now more risk aware than risk averse. I’m really pleased to hear the work that is going on to reduce the need for hotel accommodation for homelessness.  We know that this is incredibly expensive. We must ensure that the solution provides places for all in the long-term, not just the right now. I know that all the partners that operate in the Vale of Glamorgan are up for this challenge. What has been brilliant, as a resident of the Vale but also a partner, is that there has been a visible change in the appetite for the Council to have a go and that’s great to see.” 

Sarah Tipping from the University Health Board said: “The work in Barry led by Sarah Cutting has been a fantastic example of partnership working and how we can really deliver together. We also have our Public Services Engagement and Insight group, which is a joint partnership across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, which Council officers have been well engaged with. This has provided us with an opportunity to support each other in the public engagement space.” 

Jas Bains, who attended for Hafod Housing, added: “My takeaway is your new vision invites an opportunity to unlock institutional capital including and beyond the Council. I can see opportunities to discuss place-based transition funds, innovative financial models and shared infrastructure to deliver integrated services.” 

Vale 2030 came into effect in April and has been shaped by extensive consultation with residents through the Let’s Talk about Life in the Vale survey.

It has also been influenced by feedback from the Authority’s Panel Performance Assessment (PPA), input from Elected Members and engagement with partners. 

Offering a masterplan for how the Council will operate in the future, Vale 2030 is based around five new Wellbeing Objectives to: 

• Create great places to live, work and visit 
• Respect and celebrate the environment 
• Give everyone a good start in life 
• Support and protect those who need us 
• Be the best Council we can be 

The aim is to continue creating Strong Communities with a Bright Future. 

A changing environment and financial challenges mean we must do things differently, but within that framework we can still provide excellent services for our residents. 

This Council and our staff have proven to be adaptable and innovative before, changing the way we operate to maximise our resources. 

That creative, forward-thinking approach must continue as we look to evolve further and embrace new ways of working. 

Key to that will be linking more closely with partner agencies and community groups, helping them to create thriving local places with excellent facilities and opportunities. 

Vale 2030 contains fresh pledges around partnership working and delivering for communities.  

For the first time, a relationship statement has been published, which sets out what partners can expect when working with the Council.

There will be greater collaboration with voluntary organisations, community groups, town and community councils, social enterprises, public bodies and businesses. 

This is a fundamental shift as the Council moves to facilitate the provision of services at a local level – supporting partners to make a real difference within their specific locations. 

Every spring, yearly plans that focus on the most pressing work will be shared, helping to meet long-term goals. 

These plans will set out the steps taken in that year to deliver on Vale 2030 objectives, with systems in place to track progress, improve services, and manage risks. 

They are an important tool for managing the work of directorates and link with individual staff appraisals through the itsaboutme process.  

In keeping with Vale 2030, and specifically the Wellbeing Objective to protect and support those who need us, Vale, Valleys and Cardiff (VVC) Adoption recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

This Council is an important part of that collaborative service, which is a great example of how partners can work together to achieve more.

Over the last decade, much work has been done to encourage people to adopt and help children find loving homes.

The 10-year birthday officially fell on June 1 and I’d like to pass on my thanks to all involved for the fantastic work you are responsible for.

Following on from last week’s news of a world record attempt at the Makerspace – more on that when results are in – this facility in Barry library welcomed a group of interns on the QuickStart scheme.

The Makerspace is a hub that offers digital design and skill development opportunities, with tools, materials and expert guidance on hand.

There is a 3D printer, Cricut Maker 3, MAYKU Vacuum Former, heat press, laser cutter, 360 GoPro, DSLR cameras, and more available to help teams step out of their normal processes and get creative.

Over the course of a morning, QuickStart interns had the chance to get to know one another, try something new and start their programme in a creative, engaging way. 

From hands-on activities to informal chats, the session offered a fresh way to build relationships and develop team dynamics.

Makerspace is ideal for development days, providing a location for brainstorming sessions, connection and innovation.

Anyone interested in booking a slot, can contact Makerspace Development Officer, Simon Alexander.

Barry Pride is taking place on Saturday, 14 June from 12pm until 7pm, with representatives from our LGBTQ+ network Glam among those set to attend.

There will be stalls and performances on the day, with the celebration spread across King Square and Central Park.

Members of Barry Pride also joined staff and councillors for the raising of the Rainbow Flag, which is currently flying outside the Civic.

Colleagues from a variety of teams based in the Community Enterprise Centre, including CFW+, CELT+ and Early Help, have also held a Pride Breakfast and Learn Morning at the building.

Coinciding with the beginning of Pride Month, the event featured an engaging and informative presentation, a fun and interactive quiz, tea, coffee and breakfast.

It also offered the chance to come together, reflect, learn, celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Well done to all that attended – it sounds like a great morning!

Telecare Systems and Stock Officer Levi Cullinane attended a slightly more formal occasion when he went to a Royal Garden Party after being randomly selected by the Leader in February’s Draw. 

His sister Shanice accompanied Levi to Buckingham Palace for the event where both enjoyed a fantastic day.

Levi even took some Telecare flyers with him so he could indulge in a bit of service promotion.

Well done Levi, from the MANY pictures, it looks like you had a wonderful time.

Lastly, the deadline to respond to the staff survey has been extended by a week to midnight on Friday 13 June, giving colleagues more time to share their views.

This is a chance to have a say on what’s working, what could be done better and what more could be done to support staff in a range of areas.

It only takes 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are entirely anonymous.

Feedback will help make improvements that can have a direct impact on our working lives and those of our residents so I would encourage everyone to take part. Please take the time to complete the survey so that we can continue to make progress as an organisation. 

Thank you all very much for your efforts this week, they are always very much appreciated by myself and the rest of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT).

For those not in work, enjoy a restful and relaxing couple of days off.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob