Rob's Weekly Round Up

09 May 2025

Hi everyone,

On Wednesday evening, the Council held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) when a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were elected.

I’m pleased to announce that Cllr Naomi Marshallsea, who represents Illtyd Ward, will be Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan for the next year, with St Brides Councillor Carys Stallard acting as her deputy.

Naomi is from Barry and returned to the Vale after a decade spent teaching in London, while Carys is a former journalist at the BBC.

I’m sure you will join me in congratulating both as they take up their new roles and wish them every success over the next 12 months.

The new Mayor joined myself, the Council Leader and others for a ceremony at the Memorial Hall in Barry yesterday to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

There was also a two minute’s silence observed outside the Civic an hour later, with a significant number of colleagues gathering to pay their respects.

Remembering those who sacrificed themselves for the freedoms we enjoy today will always be of the utmost importance.

So is the ongoing work the Council is involved in to support our former service personnel, led by Veterans’ Advice Officer Abi Warburton.

I’m proud of the fact we were the first Local Authority in Wales to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, we hold Bronze Welsh Veterans Awards and Gold in the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Yesterday was also when a launch event for the newly transformed Engine Room Business Centre in Barry Waterfront’s Innovation Quarter was held.

This project marks a significant milestone in the Council’s commitment to support local economic growth and sustainability.

The centre now offers 11 high-quality units designed to meet the needs of a growing local business community, with enhanced facilities that promote collaboration, flexibility, and a greener way of working.

As part of the transformation, the main entrance has been redesigned to be more welcoming and accessible and there are communal spaces outside for cycle parking and seating.

The existing public car park has been extended and resurfaced with new signage installed and landscaping work undertaken in the surrounding area.

Natasha Davies and her Regeneration Team have played a key part in delivering this upgrade, which was funded with over £1 million from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by local contractor Kingfisher Developments.

The Engine Room is part of wider regeneration work at the Innovation Quarter, which has seen the successful redevelopment of the Pumphouse into retail units, the opening of a Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre, along with West Quay Medical Centre, and the development of the Goodsheds, a mix of retail and residential units.

A new primary school, Ysgol St Baruc, has also been built, and Cardiff and Vale College is preparing to construct a major new campus nearby.

Speaking of delivering on bold and ambitious aims, today I met members of the Public Services Board (PSB) to introduce Vale 2030, our new Corporate Plan, to them.

That officially launched last month and sets the Council’s direction for the next five years and beyond.

Crucial to its success will be working in partnership with a variety of bodies towards shared goals.

That includes resident and community groups, but also public and third sector organisations like those that make up the PSB, which includes representatives from the Fire Service, Natural Resources Wales and the University Health Board, among others.

It was a very positive meeting, with all agencies committed to making the Vale an even better place to live.

Next, a reminder that our Employee Engagement Survey launches on Monday.

This is a chance for staff to have their say on all aspects of the Council and help shape its future.

We want as many people as possible to share their views, thoughts, and suggestions.

It is only by hearing about colleagues’ opinions and experiences that we can take meaningful steps forward in line with Vale 2030.

The survey, which will be sent by email and can also be accessed by scanning the QR code on posters inside buildings, should only take a few minutes to complete. Any questions on this topic can be emailed to Engage@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

An exciting new offer launched this week that allows staff to get up to 35 per cent off train fares.

Created by Transport for Wales, JurnyOn is the UK’s first subscription-based discounted train ticketing app that offers savings without the need for a railcard.

The subscription has three tiers which vary in price, with the highest, where biggest reductions are available, costing £5.90 a month.

However, staff are being offered a free one-month trial.

It is also possible to earn loyalty points for every mile travelled that can be used to reduce future subscription costs.

More information on how to download and start using the app can be found on Staffnet.

This initiative has strong links to the Council’s Project Zero initiative to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Another aspect of that plan involves encouraging more physical activity.

That last point is one Eleanor Croft from the Contact One Vale Team has embraced with gusto having recently completed the London Marathon, raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation.

Eleanor completed the 26.2-mile race in four hours and 57 minutes in honour of her little sister’s best friend, Osian.

Osian was just 15 when he was rushed into hospital after developing MICS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children associated with Covid).

He subsequently suffered four cardiac arrests and later received a heart transplant on 30 June 2023.

Eleanor said: “We were so grateful when Osian was able to return home in time for Christmas. Whilst Osian was home, he brought light back to all of our lives and seemed to be on the mend. I made a joke that I would run London Marathon for him as long as he would come and cheer me on.”

Sadly, Osian passed away 19 June 2024, but Eleanor decided to honour her promise.

Nikki Johns, Head of Digital, said: “It was fab to see Eleanor take her boundless energy into running the London Marathon. She’s an enthusiastic member of the team so we knew that once she set her mind to it, she would smash it.

“Her well-deserved medal has been shared around the Contact Centre and we’re incredibly proud of the funds she’s raised for such an important cause.”

Eleanor is still hoping to reach her final target of £2500 and any donations to her fundraiser can be made here.

Well done Eleanor, that is a tremendous effort for an extremely worthwhile charity, one that is clearly very dear to you.

I also wanted to say a well done to Angela Bailey, Darcey Gravett and Adam Sargent who have worked extremely hard to get a variety of Council commercial opportunities live.

Those individuals went above and beyond to get a list of Council properties that are available for sale or let finalised and ready for enquiries.

Well done. These kinds of revenue streams are more vital than ever as we aim to address the financial challenges facing all Local Authorities.

On that subject, the Business Improvement Team are looking for help to find creative and practical ways to generate income across all services.

To continue delivering high-quality provision, we must explore new opportunities to increase income and make better use of our existing assets and skills.

With that in mind, a collaborative Income Generation Workshop is being organised, which will be a space to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and work together to identify opportunities that could strengthen the Council’s financial resilience.

Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Maddy Carver to book a space.

Thank you very much for your efforts this week, they are always sincerely appreciated by me and the rest of the Strategic Leadership Team.

For those of you not in work, have a relaxing and enjoyable couple of days off.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob