Support learning, employment and sustainable economic growth

We are a Council that understands the importance of a well-educated and skilled population, supporting people of all ages to develop and learn. We are committed to encouraging people’s ambitions and to ensuring that individuals and communities are able to prosper and achieve their best.

We understand that for many the best route out of poverty or financial difficulties is through employment and a decent wage in keeping with the cost of living. We will work with a range of partners to promote economic growth for the area.

The activities that will be undertaken to deliver this Objective recognise the importance of providing appropriate learning and development opportunities to people of all ages. We will invest in our schools, prioritise pupil well-being, focusing on their physical wellbeing and also their social, emotional and mental health needs. We will continue to support people to achieve their best and to provide the necessary support, for example with financial and employment advice.

We will continue to support local businesses and we will work within the Cardiff Capital Region recognising that transport, planning and economic development need to be considered in both a local and a regional context and need to be balanced with environmental considerations whilst maximising opportunities of new technologies and innovations.

Corporate Plan Commitments

Our Corporate Plan Commitments are to:

Ensure there is appropriate access to quality early years, nursery and education provision enabling people to achieve their best possible outcomes whatever their age
Invest in our schools to provide the right learning environment for the 21st century and facilities which benefit the wider community
Work with schools, families and others to improve the services and support for those with additional learning needs
Work with education, training providers, businesses and other agencies to provide a range of advice, support and training opportunities which improve people’s skills and readiness for work
Work with partners to ensure people can access appropriate money advice, information and debt support relating to housing, benefits, education, training and employment
Support and promote volunteering and community learning recognising the range of benefits to individuals and the community
Work as part of the Cardiff Capital Regionto progress strategic planning and transport initiatives and promote sustainable economic growth and employment
Support economic growth through regeneration, improved infrastructure and support for town centres, tourism and industry

Annual Delivery Plan Actions

In 2023-24 we will:

Work in partnership with the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service to ensure schools are effectively supported to maximise outcomes for all learners.
Work with our schools and partners to implement the whole-school approach to mental health and well- being and ensure appropriate support and guidance is provided in order to meet the differing needs of children and young people.
Support our schools to facilitate the phased implementation of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) reform including work around self-evaluation.
Support our schools to minimise exclusions and enhance attendance recognising the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis.
Progress school investment schemes including the expansion of Ysgol Y Deri, a new school building at St Nicholas, expansion of primary school capacity in Cowbridge and design work for St Richard Gwyn as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Review and revise our core support service offer to schools, including IT, HR, cleaning, building services and waste services.
Work with others including key businesses, not for private profit organisations and charities to support employment and the development of skills for the future including the delivery of initiatives and paid opportunities within the Council for apprenticeships, training and employment.
Work with the Cardiff Capital Region, Welsh and UK Governments to develop regional and local strategies for transport, planning and economic development including the transport interchange for Barry and major projects like the energy park at Aberthaw, the Barry Gateway and the continued growth of the Bro Tathan and Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone.
Take a place making approach to regeneration and maximise the use of external funding such as Welsh Government Transforming Towns and UK Government Shared Prosperity funding to support sustainable economic growth and communities across the Vale.
Work collaboratively to develop and implement Vale wide strategies that promote new employment space and support local businesses, tourism, social enterprises and communities and support environmental and economic priorities.