Partners show support for Vale 2030

29 May 2025

A host of key partners have given their backing to Vale 2030, the Council’s new Corporate Plan, after it was presented to them at a recent launch event. 

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 came together to learn about the Authority’s blueprint for the next five years and beyond. 

That vision was set out by Leader Lis Burnett and Chief Executive Rob Thomas and received a ringing endorsement from those in attendance. 

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 is a wide-ranging document that came into effect in early April. 

It has been shaped by extensive consultation with residents through the Let’s Talk about Life in the Vale survey, 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. 

Rob Thomas said: “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 also 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.  
Vale 2030 is truly a plan to deliver strong communities with a bright future, together.