Rob's Weekly Round Up

20 June 2025

Hi everyone,

I’m back on end-of-week update duty today after spending last week with Carmarthenshire County Council where I was part of the team carrying out its Panel Performance Assessment.

Having undergone the process ourselves last year, it was interesting to be on the other side of the fence this time around.

The opportunities to look in detail at how another organisation operates is always a worthwhile exercise.

As well as evaluating Carmarthenshire’s methods, the week I spent in West Wales was also a chance for inspiration, to reflect on the challenges across Wales and the value of local government in providing essential services to those communities and residents that rely on ourselves for support.

Diolch yn fawr to the Director of Corporate Resources, Tom Bowring for writing last week’s message in my absence.

As always, and from Tom’s message last week, it was clear that the good work and staff achievements continued while I was away and this week has been no different as there’s lots to update you on this afternoon.

Firstly, I wanted to talk about the success of the soft plastics recycling trial that has been taking place in certain parts of the Vale.

Following our previous excellent recycling performance, the Vale was selected by Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Cymru to pilot an innovative new scheme for soft plastics.

That sees items that wouldn’t normally be recycled, such as bags and wrapping, collected from the kerbside in Penarth, Dinas Powys, Sully and some surrounding areas.

Initially, we anticipated producing one 600kg bale of recycled soft plastic a week, but one is being processed nearly every day, such has been the positive response by residents.

That amounts to around 2.5 tonnes of material a week, which is testament to the commitment shown by both residents and our waste teams.

Thank you to all involved. Your efforts mean the Vale’s recycling performance continues to be among the best in Wales.

A survey of the trial will start on June 30, with WRAP due to send a flyer containing a questionnaire to participating homes shortly.

I would encourage anyone who receives a leaflet to take part as that feedback will play an important role in deciding how this recycling system develops.

From looking after the environment to taking care of ourselves, this week saw the new Strength Gym open at Barry Leisure Centre.

That features a range of new and refurbished lifting equipment, including 30 new pieces of resistance and strength apparatus, a series of benches, squat racks and deadlift platforms.

Alongside the strength zone is a modern functional training area with two new Powermill Climbers, an Airbike, a SkiErg, Battle Ropes, Plyo boxes, two 15-metre sled tracks and more.

This is the latest upgrading of facilities following the refurbishment of the main gym in 2023.

It will allow the centre to expand its fitness class programme, offering more children’s activities and sports hall time.

Well done to Dave Knevett and other members of the Healthy Living and Performance Team for helping to coordinate these improvements.

There is a strong Vale 2030 strain to this work as it has been carried out alongside Legacy Leisure, the company that manages our leisure centres and features equipment supplied by Life Fitness, Jordan Fitness and other key partners.

Sticking with Barry, last Saturday saw the annual Pride event held in the town, attended by representatives of our LGBTQ+ network GLAM.

They were joined by allies from other organisations and visitors there to enjoy the day, which featured stalls and performances spread across King Square and Central Park.

The Council is proud to support this event and fly the rainbow flag above the Civic Offices for Pride Month.

I hope all that attended had a thoroughly enjoyable day – and from the pictures, it looks like you did.

Next, I’d like to draw your attention to an event that is happening at Whitmore High on Wednesday, July 2.

The school will hold a mock job interview event to help pupils prepare for employment and is asking if colleagues can help out.

Around 14 staff are needed to deliver the event, which, as well as inspiring and supporting young people, can also benefit their own career aspirations.

It is a great way to develop interview skills and build confidence in areas related to management. 

Those interested need to be available between 8:40am and 2:40pm, for Year 12 interviews in the morning and Year 10 interviews in the afternoon.

Sample questions will be provided, but interviewers are encouraged to bring some personality to the role.

The Council’s Human Resources Lifecycle Team will be on hand to offer support and anyone wishing to take part is asked to email Manager Mike Gelder for further details.

This is the latest cutting-edge approach taken by Whitmore High, which recently became Great Places to Work Certified. 

Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and the leadership behaviours proven to deliver improved revenue and increased innovation. 

It helps companies around the world survey employees, benchmark results, identify gaps, improve culture and is the only national recognition program based on a rigorous methodology and validated employee feedback.

Whitmore is described on the organisation’s website as: “A successful state school serving the western half of Barry in South Wales. It enjoys strong academic results due to its hard-working staff team. The school promotes four core values: respect, responsibility, resilience and working hard. Furthermore, the school lives these values through the combined efforts of its whole staff, teaching and non-teaching, working harmoniously and relentlessly to provide the best possible learning opportunities for students. Its students enthusiastically participate in a wide range of learning experiences within the timetabled curriculum, as well as enriching extra-curricular opportunities before and after the main school day.”

A whopping 94 per cent of employees at Whitmore say it is a great place to work, compared to 54 per cent of employees at a typical UK-based company.

100 per cent of people at the school say they are treated fairly regardless of race and sexual orientation, while 99 per cent say it is a physically safe place to work. The same proportion are proud to tell others they work there, while 98 per cent of management were said to be competent at running the business.

Credit goes to the school’s Community Relationship Director John Lloyd for securing this status along with all the staff and pupils that make it such an exceptional school.

Elsewhere in Learning and Skills, the Council’s Childcare and Early Years Team recently completed a 10-week pilot programme aimed at tackling recruitment challenges in the childcare and play sector.

This was carried out in collaboration with Adult Community Learning, Communities for Work, Play Development, Social Care Wales, Jobcentre Plus, and Careers Wales.

Targeted at post-16 students and lasting 10 weeks, the course’s modules included:

• Introduction to Childcare
• Group A Safeguarding
• First Aid Training
• Curiosity Approach
• Arts and Crafts
• Interview Skills and Job Search
• Application Form Guidance
• Real-world placements in childcare and play settings

Of the eight people that participated in the course, five completed it with all undertaking the Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) at the start, a web-based learning programme.

Each student was assigned a work mentor who supported them through the process which offered hands-on experience and insight into diverse childcare environments.

All of the participants said they would recommend the course, with further feedback indicating it had helped boost confidence, knowledge and enthusiasm for the sector.

“It was amazing, it helped so much and taught me things I never knew about childcare.

“It opened my eyes to a different world.” said one student.

Rebecca Satherley-Thomas, from the Vale Childcare & Early Years Team, said: “It was a privilege to get to know the students and support them through the course. They have transformed from shy young people into confident and more assertive individuals. They have worked hard to overcome their nervousness and any anxieties about starting the course.”

The course ended with certificates awarded to those that completed it along with an offer of ongoing support with college or job applications and apprenticeship opportunities.

Well done to all involved. Giving everyone the best start in life is one of our Wellbeing Objectives and this meets it on two counts.

Firstly, you have helped people looking to embark on a career and secondly that career involves nurturing and developing the next generation. Da Iawn.

I want to round off this message by paying tribute to School Organisation and Access Manager Mike Matthews, who is set to retire after 46 years of Council service.

Mike began his career in September 1979 as Clerical Assistant for South Glamorgan Social Services before being promoted to Senior Clerical Assistant four years later.

He held the position of Administrative Assistant for the School Section of the Education Department from 1989 to 1992, then moving on to the role of Senior Administrative assistant, a post he held until 2000.

Mike was a Team Leader between 2000 and 2001, then Principal Administrative Officer until 2009 when he took on his current role
There has been no shortage of good wishes for Mike as he prepares to bid the Council farewell.

Ysgol Y Deri Headteacher Chris Britten said: “Happy retirement to the calmest, steadiest person I’ve ever worked with. Thank you for wise advice, counsel and friendship over the years.”

Sustainable Communities for Learning Project Manager Kelly Williams said: “Mike, wishing you all the best in your retirement! You’ve been a quiet force of knowledge, wit, and calm in the chaos — you will be missed. Enjoy every minute of your well-earned freedom – GOLF.

Welsh Education Officer Jeremy Morgan said: “Congratulations Mike on your retirement – wishing you all the best and thanks for your help over the years!”

Operational Manager for Strategy and Resources in Learning and Skills, Lisa Lewis added: “For myself, I have worked with Mike since 1990 and I am feeling pretty emotional about him leaving. Throughout all of that time, he has been so steadfast and supportive, and I can see his influence across so many of our schools. 

“He has been instrumental in countless School Organisation Consultations, ensured effective school place planning, overseen the admissions of hundreds of thousands of pupils, managed the thankless task that is school transport and genuinely been one of the unsung heroes of the Education Service. I am going to miss his humour, organisational knowledge and his memory of almost every change to every school made in the last few decades.”

I’d like to join the chorus of voices thanking Mike and wishing him the best for the future.

Nearly half a century of service is no mean feat.

Mike, it is clear you have made a real difference to the Council and a great many people who work here.  From my personal perspective, I have known you and worked with you since my days as head of Planning and Transportation, with responsibility for home to school transport and when we regularly ‘touched base’ on issues relating to school catchment areas. 

You deserve immense credit for your contribution to the Vale of Glamorgan over a significant time. Very well done and here’s to a happy and healthy retirement.

Thanks also to everyone else for your contributions this week – they are always very much appreciated by myself and my Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) Colleagues.

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

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob