A Vale of Glamorgan Council employee has been awarded an British Empire Medal for her efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Melanie Haman received the news in the Queen's Birthday Honour's list, which was released late last week.

As the Local Resilience Forum Coordinator for South Wales, Melanie has been instrumental in organising the regional response to the crisis.

She has managed a range of multi-agency meetings, bringing representatives from key organisations together to fight the virus.

These include Local Authorities, Emergency Services and other bodies such as the Health Board.

Melanie said: "I am extremely humbled to have nominated for this award. I count myself very fortunate within the South Wales region to be surrounded by colleagues on all levels who are both professional and committed and this has made my role of coordinating the response much easier. Their enthusiasm, energy, support and engagement has not waivered throughout the last 18 months and we have all worked tirelessly in our one goal and that is to protect the public."

With over 10 years' experience in emergency planning, Melanie took on her current role in 2018.

The Covid-19 outbreak represented an unprecedented situation, but Melanie more than met the challenge, demonstrating consummate professionalism in the process.

Rob Thomas, Vale of Glamorgan Council Managing Director, said: "Melanie has worked tirelessly. She has an excellent work ethic and is a real credit to herself and asset to us at the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the entire South Wales region. I am delighted that Melanie has been considered and has received her recognition, not only as the Managing Director of our organisation, but also as the Chair of the SWLRF Recovery Coordination Group and a member of the Strategic Coordination Group.

"I have been hugely impressed by Melanie's organisation, effectiveness and enthusiasm throughout the pandemic. She is extremely dedicated to public service and commands respect through her commitment to public duty.

"Alongside this, she is also clearly an expert in her field, incredibly knowledgeable, and this knowledge, together with her dedication and enthusiasm, has been invaluable in helping to steer South Wales through the current crisis."

Mr Andrew D. Valentine, Chief Superintendent of South Wales Police said: "Since assuming the role of Chair of the South Wales Local Resilience Forum Strategic Coordination Group (SCG) in March 2020, I have worked closely with Melanie Haman in her capacity as the Local Resilience Forum Coordinator and have valued greatly her exceptional commitment and dedication to protecting the public.

"Throughout the course of the pandemic, she has made an extraordinary contribution to the strategic and tactical response by supporting critical activities ranging from key worker testing to excess death arrangements.

"Her personal resilience and willingness to help has always been above and beyond the requirements of her role. Despite testing times, Mrs Haman's warm and engaging approach has helped galvanise a strong collaborative ethos across the Local Resilience Forum improving the emergency response for the benefit of communities across South Wales."