Joint Endeavour
United by a shared vision to tackle inequality, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen councils are searching for talented people to help drive inclusive growth in the heart of the Valleys.
It’s been a momentous 12 months for Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen councils. Not only are they the first Marmot councils in Wales, the pair have also joined forces to become the country’s first federated authorities.
The two feats are inextricably linked – driven by a recognition that inequality cannot be tackled by fragile institutions. Both councils share a proud industrial heritage, strong sense of identity and community spirit but also persistently high levels of deprivation following the decline of traditional industries.
Out of this has come a commitment to embrace Marmot principles and get to the root of inequality by exploring new ways of working; hence the decision last year to enter into a federation.
While the two councils continue to operate as sovereign entities, they are now working collaboratively through new shared leadership and joint working across many service areas.
The most powerful example of the federation’s ambition and potential is the creation of a new Economy and Place directorate.
Stephen Vickers, who became Joint Chief Executive at the beginning of last year, says the directorate goes to the heart of the two councils’ ambitions to deliver a long-term impact for their communities: ‘The decision to federate was about building a stronger strategic focus while creating scale, capacity and confidence that would enable us to shift from being reactive to preventative. It’s about having the combined organisational strength to tackle inequality.
'This directorate is a critical part that can lead by example in how we codesign plans, share responsibility for our places, work with our communities, focus on prevention and forge an asset-based approach. It will have a vital role in ensuring Marmot is the strategic lens through which we define priorities, shape strategies and gauge our success.’
The new Director of Economy and Place will lead and shape the directorate – ably supported by two assistant directors (for place and commercial investment) – and a chief planning officer.
Together they will help to deliver on key strategies including a new ‘Blueprint for Growth’, setting out an ambitious shared plan for long-term sustainable growth and regeneration, and a new shared Local Development Plan (LDP).
The latter encapsulates the two councils’ desire to ‘do things differently’, says Stephen. ‘Our number one priority in the LDP isn’t building X number of houses, it’s tackling health inequalities. Of course we want to build houses, but it’s about the right kind of homes in the right places with the right opportunities for people living in them.
‘Inequality is not accidental, it’s shaped by the circumstances people are born into and through things like the LDP we can make a real difference.’
The director will bring credibility and influence to the directorate, shaping its strategic direction while also being a key member of the senior leadership team and playing a corporate role.
‘We work as one. Whichever directorate you lead, it’s about the wider agenda. All our interventions must reduce inequality and it’s about making sure everything is aligned to that goal. If it’s not, it’s challenged.’
Candidates can be from a range of backgrounds for all four roles with the Assistant Director for Commercial Investment in particular needing to bring commercial know-how.
‘What we’re looking for with all these roles is talent and the right attitude, skills and approach; people who can innovate, think on their feet and be entrepreneurial. They will be part of a federated team that works seamlessly together.’
In many respects, the decision to enter into a federation was a pragmatic response to the challenges facing both areas. The eight towns and numerous rural communities that make up Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent have deep-rooted issues but there are also enormous opportunities for growth and prosperity across the Cardiff region in which they are located.
And at a time when many councils in neighbouring England are going through local government reorganisation, it’s pertinent that both local authorities proactively chose this path.
As Stephen puts it: ‘Part of the success here is because we have done it through choice, driven by members.’
The fact that Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent are leading across Wales on both Marmot and the federated model makes them well placed to ‘work with Welsh Government and influence the national agenda’, he says.
He firmly believes the councils’ approach offers a powerful platform for officers to have a lasting impact.
‘I think people can create a real legacy here. This is definitely not business as usual at a traditional local authority. It’s a once in a generation opportunity for place-shaping at a scale never seen before, operating not only across our combined areas but also linking with the Cardiff region and Wales as a whole.
‘It’s somewhere you can really make your mark on and that’s what makes it so exciting.’
Originally featured in the Municipal Journal magazine, Thursday 9 April 2026. For more information on these four exciting opportunities with Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Councils, please visit the dedicated microsite: www.faerfield.co.uk/blaenau-and-torfaen.
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