VALE of Glamorgan Council has agreed its Annual Delivery Plan, which sets out work to be undertaken over the next year to deliver on key aims.

Approved at a meeting of Full Council following consideration by Cabinet and a comprehensive public consultation, the document explains how the organisation proposes to achieve its four wellbeing objectives.

These are:

To work with and for our communities; support learning, employment and sustainable economic growth; support people at home and in their community and to respect, enhance and enjoy our environment

Cllr Neil Moore, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said:

“This is a comprehensive plan that sets out objectives that will be the key focus of Council work over the next year.

“We will look to progress work that aligns with these objectives, within which there are six distinct themes.

“By striving to meet these aims, we believe we will help realise our vision for the Vale of Strong Communities with a Bright Future.”

The six themes that work on these objectives are:

Project Zero – The Council’s commitment to tackle climate change and respond to the nature emergency by becoming carbon neutral by 2030. This includes a green infrastructure strategy, improvements to our housing, schools and other buildings, the promotion of active travel and public transport and installation of electric vehicle charging points as well as a focus on procurement and community engagement.

Community Capacity – Increasing capacity within our communities, ensuring they have a stronger voice and are able to influence and shape services and activities in the Vale. Across all the activities detailed in the Plan, there will be an increased focus on community engagement.  A new public participation strategy will be published and we will continue the community conversation on climate change.  We will also take steps to increase youth participation and enable people to have more say in the work of the Council.

Hardship – Meeting the needs of those experiencing hardship, for example financial difficulties, housing need or difficulties accessing suitable employment. This includes reducing homelessness, money advice, benefits and employment services, and food poverty projects, including projects in our schools to support pupils and their families.

Care and Support – meeting the needs of our more vulnerable residents, ensuring people have access to care and support and information to keep them safe and well with due regard to their physical and mental wellbeing. The plan details a range of activity to support people including being more age-friendly, safeguarding and public protection, working with children and their families and more integration across health and social care as well as a focus in schools on pupil wellbeing.

Transformation – This brings together work with the community and tackling climate change but also use of our technology and assets, workforce development and innovative projects and opportunities for changing how we work across all services from education and social care to waste management.

Infrastructure – Investing in our schools and housing and ensuring we have the right infrastructure in the Vale to support economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing.  Activities include the 21st century schools programme, a review of the Local Development Plan and building new council homes as well as working through the Cardiff Capital Region focusing on planning, transport and economic development across South East Wales.

There are a range of ways in which the Council intends to meet its four wellbeing objectives.

Making effective use of technology, encouraging conversations about the climate emergency and increasing the use of the Welsh language are examples of how it will work with and for communities.

Learning, employment and sustainable economic growth will be supported by delivering new and improved educational facilities through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The Council will also work with partners to develop residents’ skills and the Cardiff Capital Region to deliver transport improvements and economic opportunities.

People will be supported at home and in their communities by the regional response to the coronavirus pandemic and through the development of leisure, recreational and educational activities, among other initiatives.

Implementing Project Zero, the Council’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, will help achieve the aim to respect, enhance and enjoy the environment. Schools will become greener, while there are also plans to make transport more sustainable.