The Vale of Glamorgan Council has awarded nearly 500 frontline staff, across Penarth and the wider vale, a 10 per cent salary uplift in recognition of their efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

Staff working in a range of areas including Social Care and Neighbourhood Services will be entitled to the increase after the Council committed almost £600,000 to the scheme.

It is believed the Vale of Glamorgan Council is the first Local Authority in Wales to sanction such a move and reflects the fact that keeping people safe and maintaining the environment are absolute priorities during this period.

Calls to recognise the frontline workers in their wages has been a widespread discussion on social media and within the government.

The uplift will cover the period from March 16 to the end of August, when it will be reviewed.

Among those to benefit are: residential care home employees, waste and recycling teams, care attendants and assistants, reablement support workers, cleaners and hostel workers.

Rob Thomas, Vale of Glamorgan Council Managing Director, said: "This is a testing time for everyone and each and every one of our staff are showing themselves to be committed, public servants.

"However, some of our frontline staff are working to deliver absolutely vital services in, particularly challenging circumstances.

"Social Care workers are looking after some of our communities' most vulnerable residents and helping to support the NHS by caring for people outside a hospital setting.

''Meanwhile, staff operating in our waste and recycling teams continue to provide vital services on which we all rely.

Neil Moore, Leader of the Council, said: "These staff have gone far beyond their normal duties in recent weeks. I know Vale residents are hugely appreciative of that effort and in recognition of such dedication the Council, as an employer, wanted to make a clear statement that we value them greatly."

The Council has also been working in partnership with other organisations to source and supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), in line with Public Health guidance.

This has been issued to staff as well as third parties, such as private care providers.

The staff entitled to the pay uplift have been informed by letter of the latest measure introduced by the Council to support workers since the COVID-19 crisis hit.

This is part of a package of initiatives to keep the Council functioning and provide essential services that have included enabling over 1,000 staff to work from home and setting up new services.

The Crisis Support Team has been established to provide practical and emotional assistance to residents most at risk, while the Council's Vale Heroes directory allows residents to both offer and access support from the Vale Heroes website