WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF "THE MESSAGE"
It’s been a few years since we ’ ve had a staff newsletter but having listened to your feedback through staff surveys and meetings, we ’ ve decided it’s time to bring it back!
The aim is to create an issue every two months and we invite you to contribute by sharing stories, events, achievements, and anything else you think other staff would be interested in.
We also welcome your feedback, so please let the team know if you have any suggestions on what you’d like to see in future editions.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy reading this first edition!
MEET THE NEW STAFF
We’d like to wish a warm welcome to the following staff that joined Team Merthyr in September and October:
Jessica Williams in Community Development
Owain Griffiths in Public Protection
Houda Ougarram in Regeneration & Housing
Lewys Bennet in Regeneration & Housing
Cai Jones in Regeneration & Housing
Logan Williams in Regeneration & Housing
Kian Court in Regeneration & Housing
Julie Gough in Regeneration & Housing
Louise French in Regeneration & Housing
Rhydian Llewellyn in Engineering & Highways
Brian Thomas in Engineering & Highways
Andrew Young in Engineering & Highways
Kyle James in Street Scene
Tracie Rawding Guille in Childrens Social Services
Paul Evans in Childrens Social Services
Rachel Gingell in Children’s Social Services
Weronika Slaczka in Prevention
Denise Traylor in Safeguarding
We’d also like to welcome all of our new Schools staff teaching and non teaching as they join us for a brand new academic year. We hope you have a fantastic first year and we wish you all the very best.
Ellis Cooper, Chief Executive
MEET OUR APPRENTICES
Our Corporate Apprentices attended an ‘Apprenticeship Development Day’ on 13th October, where they delivered presentations to the Chief Executive detailing their first year journey What a fantastic day to celebrate our up and coming talent and see how far they’ve come We can’t wait to see what they get up to next!
Stacey Watkins is our Learning and Development Apprentice Stacey’s highlights so far have included collaborating, designing and developing the Corporate Induction and co ordinating the creation of the Unit 20 ICT Suite (see page X) After completing her BTEC Level 3 course, Stacey is looking forward to starting her CIPD Level 5 in Learning and Development in the new year
Aled Williams is our Building Control Apprentice, and he has settled into the department as if he’s been there for years! Aled’s apprenticeship has given him the opportunity to develop a variety of skills including communication, as a central part of his role is dealing with clients, architects, contractors and colleagues, as well as going out onto site and surveying dangerous structures.
Aminah Ali is our Carbon and Energy Apprentice, and she plays a critical role in supporting the Council’s aims to reduce our Carbon Footprint. Aminah has worked on a solar panel project which provided several learning opportunities due to the complex challenges she faced Aminah is now in her second year at Bridgend College of a HNC Construction in the Built Environment
Lloyd Howells is our Social Media Apprentice He has quickly become a key member of the Corporate Communications team and his enthusiasm, knowledge of social media and approach to digital skills in the workplace is second to none. He is looking to further develop skills in photography, and videography Lloyd has also been a key part of the team in developing the newsletter!
Luned Francis is our Data and Business Analytics Apprenticeship. During her time here she has learned about the importance of data and how it can be used in the Council The key highlights of her apprenticeship include being able to use the new skills learnt through her qualification and own research and apply this learning to work projects.
Daniel Lewis is our Horticulture Apprentice, based at Cyfarthfa Park. Dan says that “working for the Local Authority has allowed me to develop myself, improve my performance and gain new qualifications. My work colleagues and managers are really approachable and are always keen to help me learn the ropes ”
COUNCIL ACHIEVES SILVER MOD AWARD
The Council has been awarded a prestigious Ministry of Defence (MoD) Silver Award for its Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
The scheme recognises organisations that pledge, demonstrate and advocate support to active and retired Armed Forces personnel The council is also a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, showing our commitment to support the Armed Forces community.
The award was collected by MTCBC’s Organisational Development Officer, Sarah Miles, and Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Andrew Barry, at The National Museum of Wales in September.
Thank you to Lead Armed Forces Officer, Jayne Overbury, Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Jamie Ireland, and Workforce Development Officer, Sarah Miles, for all of their hard work in achieving this award.
If you ’ re an Ex Armed Forces member of staff, Reservist or Cadet Leader, please ensure that your HR record is updated either on HR 21 or email learning& development@merthyr gov uk
A copy of the current Reserve Forces and Adult Cadet Instructors policy can be found here: 1a Reserve Forces Training Mobilisation Policy Mar 22 (mtcbc.local)
WELL BEING
We recognise how important it is to keep emotionally, mentally and physically healthy
There is information and advice on many Health and Well being topics including physical and mental well being, please visit the intranet page Health and Well being | Intranet (mtcbc local)
Back Care Awareness Week was held on 3rd 7th October 2022. The past two years have been extremely difficult for us all and working from home can lead us to long periods of sitting down which isn’t good for your posture and can result in long term back and neck issues
For guidance and tips on how to care for your back please visit the intranet: OH Back Care
NEW IT SUITE IN UNIT 20
We are excited to announce the brand new IT suite situated in Unit 20. This new facility will give our frontline staff the opportunity access PCs and IT facilities to take part in training sessions, attend the Corporate Induction,
HEALTH FIRST AIDERS Thanks to the IT department, Stacey Watkins in the Organisational Development Team and Neighbourhood Services for all of your efforts in making this possible upskill, engage with other departments throughout the Authority, and access the intranet for HR policies and information.
Earlier in the year
the following staff
The Message | Issue no 1
TRAINING
AN UPDATE ON OUR FINANCIAL POSITION
You will no doubt be aware, from the media, of the current financial position in the UK at the moment
From a local government perspective, the situation has become extremely challenging and for this authority a significant budget shortfall is expected for the next financial year.
This is not isolated solely to Merthyr Tydfil and other Councils across the UK find themselves in the same situation, with the current financial position for public services getting worse
Contributing to these budget deficits are major pressures such as: the Pay Award; Energy Costs; Supply Chain Costs; and Contractual Costs.
The position continues to be very volatile, however we must have a collective approach to set a balance budget moving forward Heads of Service across the organisation will be working with Corporate Management Team on our efficiency programme. More detailed information on this will be communicated in due course.
We will have a clearer picture of our budget deficit on 14th December, when we receive our provisional Budget Settlement from Welsh Government In the meantime, I will continue to inform and engage with you all during these unprecedented times.
As always, your continued support and commitment to this organisation is most appreciated
Thank you, Ellis
Congratulations to Scot Edwards from our Parking team, who completed the London Marathon and raised money for Greenfield Special School. Scot said his inspiration for this run was his “3foot 5 inch hero, Jack” (his grandson). He said “Jack has autism and has been supported massively by the staff and facilities at Greenfields School, Pentrebach. Witnessing the heart warming amount of progress Jack has made within the Greenfields environment, I know that every day presents a new challenge for those with disabilities so I will challenge myself to help raise the funds to make a difference, and take this opportunity to give back to the school and repay the happiness they have given me with my grandchild ”
Well done to HR’s very own Donna Perry for completing the London Marathon in an incredible 3 hours 24 minutes and 58 seconds! What a fantastic achievement.
“I am lucky enough to get an automatic entry as a result of securing a ‘good for age ’ qualification I was hoping to get under 3hrs 30 as have never managed that in London before and was amazed and proud to get a personal best time of 3hrs 24 minutes and 58 seconds I still can’t believe it I will be back to run it again in April as it’s really is such a wonderful occasion that I’m so glad I can be part of ”
The Corporate Plan is the key document used to outline the main objectives that staff from across the whole of the Council are working to achieve The Council must develop a roadmap on how it’s going to achieve these aims and objectives and the information we collect from you will help our key decision makers to identify what we need to do and how we need to do it
We’re asking all staff for their help by answering a couple of key questions by completing a short survey: smartsurvey co uk/s/CorpPlanHaveYourSay/
A Word version of this survey is available through your line manager
The survey will close on 31st October 2022.
REMEMBRANCE SERVICES 2022
A full list of this year ’ s Remembrance services can be found here: merthyr.gov.uk/council/mayor/the mayor/remembrance services/
LENGTH OF SERVICE EVENTS AND SOCIALS
Do you have, or know of, any events or socials coming up that you think other staff would be interested in? If so, please let us know by emailing staff newsletter@merthyr gov.uk and we’ll include it in our next edition!