Rob's Weekly Round Up

12 September 2025

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to start this week’s update by sharing the results of the Illtyd ward by-election, which took place last night.

Following the sad passing of Cllr Howard Hamilton, candidates from the Conservative, Green, Labour, Plaid Cymru and Reform parties contested the vacant Council seat.

Brandon William Dodd from the Reform UK party was successful, gaining 729 votes and becoming our 54th Elected Member.

I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Rachel Starr and her Electoral Services Team, who planned and ran the poll with their usual efficiency, as well as other colleagues who assisted at the polling stations and at the count at the Civic Offices last night. Diolch pawb and very well done.

There will of course be another Full Local Government Election, including county, town and community councils in May 2027.

On the topic of local governance, there has also been significant work taking place around the management of public facilities in Llantwit Major.

That has seen a host of staff across different departments come together to arrange a series of Community Asset Transfers.

These agreements will see responsibility for car parks at the Town Hall, on Wine Street and Boverton Road pass from the Vale of Glamorgan Council to Llantwit Major Town Council once legal formalities have been concluded.

The Town Council will also take over management of the toilet block on Boverton Road.

Resurfacing, toilet improvement and administration work has taken place as part of the project, with colleagues from the Highways, Property, Legal, Parks, Engineering, Business Services and Finance teams all involved.

Brendan Doherty, Tim Sansum, Jo Lewis, Jos Ham, James Docherty, Angela Bailey, Martin Andrews, Mel Eady, Kyle Snooks and Nathan Thomas have been particularly instrumental in the process.

I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part in this important piece of work.

Vale 2030, our new Corporate Plan, sets out how we will continue building Strong Communities with a Bright Future.

In a challenging financial climate, we must be creative to achieve this, and a key strategy is to work closely with local groups, third sector organisations and town and community councils.

This move will see these important local facilities manged by the community that uses them, with the Town Council best placed to understand and meet the needs of Llantwit Major residents.

This is an example of our Reshaping Programme in action, a plan to look at new and innovative ways of providing services to ensure they are delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible.

It shows what can be achieved when staff from different teams come together to work across normal departmental boundaries.

Well done all. Da iawn a diolch yn fawr.

There is also some exciting news regarding our own buildings as the Eich Lle/Your Place Project continues at pace.

The Place Directorate has now moved from the Dock Office to the second floor of the Civic, with the Property, Digital, HR and Payroll and Finance teams relocating within the Civic as part of that process.

Social Services colleagues have also moved out of the Dock Office basement meaning only the first and second floors of that building are now occupied.

Work is also nearing completion on the Cosmeston and Porthkerry meeting rooms in the Civic Offices - these should be available to use soon.

The changes are designed to bring teams closer together, improve working conditions, and make the most of our available space.

Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we work to create a modern, inclusive and inspiring working environment for everyone.

Some of the teams that have recently made moves are also involved in creating the Council’s new Corporate Landlord Service.

This will bring staff together from Property Operations, Building Services and a small number from Adult Social Care, Regeneration, Community Centres, Libraries and Adult Community Learning.

The new service will involve managing and maintaining the Council’s property assets and has three main aspects of work:

• Estate Management - acquiring and disposing of property, among other functions.
• Facilities Management – buildings maintenance.
• Buildings Management – designing and constructing new buildings, ensuring they meet safety regulations and the Council’s carbon reduction goals.

More information is available on Staffnet+, where updates will also be posted.

It was National Payroll Week from September 1 to 5, which aimed to recognise and celebrate the role payroll professionals play in ensuring we are all paid every month.

I’m sorry to say I forgot to mention this in last Friday’s message, an oversight made even worse by the fact the payroll team always remember to pay us accurately and on time!

So, sorry for the late mention. I’m sure I speak for all colleagues when I say your work is very much appreciated.

Next, a fond farewell to Ceri Williams, our Restore the Thaw Project Officer.

Ceri has played a key role in this scheme, which aims to deliver biodiversity improvements in the River Thaw catchment area of the Vale.

Through her work, Ceri has helped protect and enhance local wildlife and habitats and operated closely with landowners and the local community.

She has also been involved in offering organisations, community groups, and volunteers the opportunity to get involved in conservation efforts.

Restore the Thaw is an important part of the Council’s green agenda, which is itself a major component of Vale 2030 and our future direction.

Ceri will start a new role as Nature Recovery Manager with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) and departs in a couple of weeks’ time with only good wishes for the future.

Susannah McWilliam said: “In all the dealings that I’ve had with Ceri, she’s been fantastic – so knowledgeable and passionate about the project and so encouraging of volunteers and those learning more about the River Thaw for the first time.”

Da Iawn Ceri. Enjoy your time with the WTSWW.

Lastly, the Cardiff and Vale Recovery and Wellbeing College is offering a range of free courses on mental health and wellbeing topics for those with lived experience of mental health challenges, service users, carers and Council staff.

Overseen by the Cardiff and University Health Board, the courses are co-produced by people who have experienced mental health challenges from different perspectives.

For more information or to sign up, visit the health board website.

Thank you all very much for your efforts this week.

They are, as ever, very much appreciated.

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

Rob