Message from Rob Thomas: What your 2025 Engagement Survey tells us

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier this summer more than 1,100 of you shared your views in our Engagement Survey. I want to start with a very genuine thank you. Taking the time to be honest with us matters, it gives me and the Strategic Leadership Team a clearer picture of what it feels like to work here day in and day out.

Pride and Belonging
One of the things that struck me most was the level of pride you have in being part of the Vale. Over 70% of you said you’re proud to work here, and three quarters would recommend us as an employer. That’s not just a statistic, that’s a reflection of the culture you create with each other, the conversations I hear when I visit teams, and the way you speak about serving our communities.

And over 80% of you told us you plan to stay with us for the next year. That loyalty is humbling, and it tells me you believe in the Vale and in what we stand for.

That belief is what makes projects like the Golden Pass scheme possible, helping older residents to stay active and connected, and being recognised nationally by Sport Wales.

It also comes through in the way teams work together to deliver for our communities. Another recent example was the successful transfer of assets in Llantwit Major, a project that brought colleagues from different services together to achieve a shared outcome for residents linked to our Reshaping programme (read the story on Staffnet+).

When I hear those stories, I think of the commitment you all bring, and I feel very proud to lead this organisation.

Everyday Support
The survey also reminded me of what I see whenever I walk around the Council, colleagues supporting each other.

81% said they feel supported by their line manager.
85% said they can share issues openly with their colleagues.

That’s a huge strength. It’s not surprising that Estyn inspectors, when they visited our Youth Service in 2024, noticed the same thing, staff there told them they feel well supported by managers, and that wellbeing is a real priority.

We see this culture reflected in our own stories too. The regular “shout outs” on Staffnet+ are a great reminder of colleagues taking the time to recognise one another’s efforts. Whether it’s a simple thank-you or celebrating someone who has gone the extra mile, it shows that support isn’t just a number in a survey, it’s part of our daily culture (view the latest news on Staffnet+)

That tells me we have a culture of togetherness and openness that we can build on.

The Pressure Points
Of course, not everything is easy, and you were honest about that too.

Only 52.8% felt their workload was manageable.

Just over half (54.5%) felt the Council cares about their health and wellbeing.

56.8% said they trust senior leaders’ decisions - an improvement on 2022, but still a reminder that we need to keep working on visibility and trust.

These aren’t easy messages to hear, but they are important. They reflect the real pressures you face, whether it’s juggling budgets, rising demand, or just the daily balance between ambition and capacity. I want to be clear, I hear you, and I take this seriously.

What Happens Next (In the Short Term)
We’re now at the review stage. Over the coming weeks:

The Strategic Leadership Team and I will carefully review the full results, guided by analysis, and consider a Council wide action plan.
Heads of Service and Operational Managers will start discussing the results in and with their teams, because the local context really matters, and work to create Directorate action plans.

We’ll publish a short update after those first discussions, so you know what’s been reviewed and what’s coming next.

These aren’t yet decisions or promises, the right actions will come from the evidence, and from more conversations with you.

Why This Matters and a Thank You
The numbers tell us where we are; the stories tell us why it matters.

At its heart, this survey is about our culture. It’s about how supported you feel, how proud you are, and how much trust we can build together. It ties directly to Vale2030 and our shared ambition for Strong Communities with a Bright Future.

When I read through the results, I felt two things at once, proud of the strengths you’ve built together, and determined that we listen carefully and respond thoughtfully to the areas where work feels harder.

I want to finish by saying thank you once again, not just for filling in the survey, but for everything you do. The work you do matters. It matters to the residents we serve, to the colleagues you support, and to the future we’re building together.

Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rob