End of Week Message from Rob

12 June 2026

Hi everyone,

The Council has been back in the news this week – and yet again for all the right reasons!

Last night, ITV Wales ran a piece on their evening bulletin about our soft plastics recycling system.

That was to mark Big Green Week, which runs from June 6 to 14, and is an opportunity for communities to show support for the natural environment and help tackle climate change.

ITV followed one of our waste crews in Barry where they spoke to team member Lewis Norton before interviewing Recycling Officer Carys Stephens and Compliance Officer Darren Phillips.

They also filmed material being sorted and processed at the Waste Transfer Station on Atlantic Trading Estate.

In the Vale, we are leading the way when it comes to recycling.

After first adopting a source separated system in 2019, services that collect small appliances and textiles have also since been introduced.

It is because of this excellent record that we were one of only two counties in Wales asked to trial a soft plastics recycling system by Wrap Cymru, an organisation that helps Welsh Government deliver on its environmental aims.

We are also the only Welsh Local Authority to have rolled the service out county-wide.

Well done to Carys and Darren for appearing on camera and to everyone who has made this service such a success.

Effective recycling is a key part of our Project Zero ambitions to become a carbon-neutral Council and County.

This fits with the wellbeing objectives within Vale 2030 to Respect and Celebrate the Environment and Create Great Places to Live, Work and Visit.

It is also an example of us Being the Best Council we can Be.

Another illustration is the work of our Shared Lives Team, who also had a television crew capturing their work this week.

Operating within Social Care, this service matches vulnerable adults with approved carers who provide accommodation and support from their own home.

It offers flexible options like respite, short breaks, and long-term care for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, or dementia.

ITV filmed with Team Manager Paul Marchant, a carer called Bernie, and Rosie, who uses the service, for an item that should be on the news sometime in the next week.

The high-profile attention our work is getting is testament to its significance and the real difference it makes to residents’ lives. Thank you to all involved.

There was further recognition this week as several of our projects received Bro Radio awards.

At the ceremony, held on Friday evening, Penarth Pier Pavilion was named winner in the Heritage, Arts and Culture category for its significant contribution to the arts, heritage and cultural life of the Vale.

The award was accepted on behalf of the Pavilion Team by Leah Staff, Cultural Venue Co-ordinator.

Stacey Long, Post-16 Transition Lead at Ysgol y Deri, was named Entrepreneur of the Year for her role in helping to establish the Hubbub Shop in Penarth.

And the evening also saw the Vale Domestic Abuse Service’s Survivor Photography Project nominated in the Triumph Over Adversity category following an exhibition at Art Central Gallery.

We have also recently submitted a bumper number of entries for the WLGA Awards, with winners to be announced later in the year.

The soft plastics recycling system was entered under the category Building Towards a Just and Adaptive Transition.

Under the category Leading Innovation, an application covering the use of AI initiatives in Social Services was submitted.

There were also details of restrictions to the advertising of foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) on Council assets entered under the Improving in Partnership section, as well as information on School Waste Transformation.

In the category of Place Shaping, there were entries on the redevelopment of Bear Field Skatepark in Cowbridge, the Street Scene cleansing service and Placemaking Plans for our four towns.

The number, variety and quality of submissions reflects the range of incredible work taking place across the Council.

We are continually breaking new ground in how we deliver for our residents and create Strong Communities with a Bright Future.

Thank you for not only setting such high standards but consistently surpassing them. 

Continuing with the theme of recognition, I wanted to mention a recent event in which staff received long-service awards for 25 or, in some cases, 40 years with the Council, across many departments and schools.  

A ceremony was held on June 02 in the Council offices in the company of the Leader and Director of Learning and Skills, Liz Jones. These events are always great as they help us to celebrate and recognise all the work done by our colleagues to support our communities throughout their careers.  Llongyfarchiadau i chi i gyd a diolch yn fawr iawn.

Thank you also to everyone else for your efforts this week.

They are always very much appreciated.

 

Diolch yn fawr iawn,

 

Rob