Rob's Weekly Round Up

05 September 2025

Hi everyone,

I wanted to start this week’s message by passing on my congratulations to two members of staff who recently received long-service awards.

Sam Smith and Kellie Margetts, who work in our Contact Centre (C1V), have both been with the Council for more than 25 years.

I was delighted to present them with a certificate and gift voucher earlier this week in recognition of this achievement.

There has been a delay in processing these awards lately which and has meant that people have been waiting a long time for their awards.

I can only apologise for this delay. It is something I have addressed meaning people should get the recognition they deserve far more promptly in future. If you have passed the milestone of 25 or 40 years in local government recently, you can expect to receive your award in the next few days.

Sticking with celebrating staff achievement, I was sent a fantastic email this week about the good work of our closed-circuit television (CCTV) operators.

A couple of weeks ago, in the early hours of the morning, staff monitoring the cameras on Holton Road spotted an individual acting suspiciously.

He subsequently started two fires and sat down to watch them take hold.

Swift action by the staff involved meant South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) were called and the fire was dealt with.

That response ensured no-one was hurt, something that was a very real risk given many people would have been asleep within residential properties along the street.

The camera operators were also able to identify the individual responsible, leading to his arrest.

As well as showcasing the positive actions of staff, such an outcome also illustrates the benefit of the new CCTV system installed a couple of years ago.

This was introduced after we entered a partnership with Cardiff Council and South Wales Police to maximise the effectiveness of CCTV monitoring across the region.

Alongside the monitoring arrangement, the partnership also funded the upgrade of 78 static cameras across Barry and Llantwit Major, and the installation of new cameras at Dock View Road, Kings Square, Rhoose Train Station, Penarth Esplanade, and Cowbridge High Street.

The new network of cameras is monitored 24/7 at Cardiff Council’s control room and a new viewing facility in Barry Police Station, giving the Council and South Wales Police the ability to respond to issues more rapidly.

Well done to all involved in dealing with this incident.

Your fast and decisive reaction allowed the Police to make an arrest and very likely saved people from serious harm. Thank you for your professionalism.

These CCTV cameras are intended to keep our communities safe and examples like this prove that is exactly what they are doing.

Speaking of emergency responses, the UK Government will test its mobile phone and tablet alert system on Sunday.

That is just a trial, but on other occasions it will be used to warn of a danger to life nearby, caused by extreme weather or other circumstances.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a critical situation.

The Council’s own Emergency Planning process has also been put through its paces recently as we have been involved in managing a series of protests outside the Rhoose Holiday Inn Express and our Civic Offices in Barry.

These incidents have provided a number of challenges, all of which have been met by the Emergency Planning Team and other colleagues from across the organisation.

I’d like to pass on my gratitude to all involved for their work in this area. Your methodical approach has ensured these occasions have been extremely well managed. Diolch.

Next, I wanted pass on my congratulations to Llanfair Primary School, which has recently been granted Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru Silver Status.

That accolade recognises the school’s efforts to support service children, their families and the wider armed forces community.

This Council has a long history of welcoming children of Service Personnel to our schools. We also renewed our Armed Forces Covenant a few months ago, a voluntary pledge that organisations take to demonstrate their support for the military community. Its principles ensure that those who serve, or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and with respect.

We also have a Gold Defence Employer Recognition Award (ERS), reflecting our work in this area.

Well done to everyone at Llanfair Primary for this work and our Learning Links Team, who have helped support the application.

After the summer holidays, school pupils across the County started the new term this week, with many returning to upgraded facilities and refurbished buildings following work carried out by the Council’s Property Team.

Over the last six weeks, Property colleagues have been busy completing a range of improvements, meaning the Vale now has even better school sites.

An additional classroom is being built at Wick Primary, with the school also undergoing an electrical rewire and internal refurbishments.

Rewiring work has also taken place at Romilly Primary and Ysgol Sant Curig, while a retaining wall has been reinstated at Cadoxton Primary.

There have been drainage repairs completed at Oakfield and a toilet refurbishment and roof repairs carried out at Colcot

Roof work has also taken place at Pen y Garth, Stanwell and St Joseph’s.

A new fire alarm has been fitted at Sully Primary School, the boilers replaced at Llandough and the chimneys repaired at Gladstone.

Various aspects of refurbishment work have also been carried out at Victoria Primary School.

I’d like to thank those responsible for their efforts and also the schools for their cooperation and support while the various refurbishments have been taking place.

The School Cleaning Teams have also been busy over the summer holidays, carrying out the annual deep cleans of these buildings.

That work was complicated by the various refurbishment projects taking place, so I'd like to pass on my appreciation both for the excellent job that has been done and the professional way in which staff worked around maintenance activity.

Improvements will very much be the topic of conversation when the five project action groups linked to the Barry Plan for Neighbourhood Board meet for the first time.

Barry has been awarded up to £2 million per year for the next decade through the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods.

This is a huge opportunity to tackle local challenges, improve quality of life, and shape the future of Barry.

The Barry Plan for Neighbourhoods Board is made up of local representatives, businesspeople, community leaders, government bodies and residents and is guiding how this investment is used.

To help deliver on the priorities, the Board has set up these five action groups and is looking for passionate, creative people to join them!

The groups are:

• Safer Barry: Safe streets, parks and public spaces.
• Vibrant Barry: Breathing new life into places to shop, work and enjoy.
• Barry Futures: New jobs, training and skills.
• Barry Thriving Communities: Stronger, more connected neighbourhoods.
• Barry Together: Celebrating culture, art, food and sport.

To find out more and get involved, visit the action group’s website.

Before signing off, I wanted to draw your attention to the Staffnet employee benefits page.

A new discount off coach trips operated by Jason Edwards Travel has been added, offering a 10 per cent reduction on a range of packages.

There are a variety of other advantages also available offering money off services and products.

Finally, thank you very much for your efforts this week – they are very much appreciated.

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

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob.