Cardiff Council’s Scrutiny Team is today celebrating winning not one, but two of the seven awards handed out at the national “Good Scrutiny” awards ceremony.
The 2011 Scrutiny task and finish inquiry into Cardiff’s Night-time Economy” won the “Raising the Profile” and the overall “Scrutineers’ Choice” category at the glittering awards ceremony organised by the Centre for Public Scrutiny in Local Government House, a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.
The Council’s Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee undertook the Night Time Economy inquiry. Councillor Craig Williams, Chair of the Committee, said “These two awards are a tribute to the hard work and vision of the many Councillors, officers and partners who supported the Night-time Economy Inquiry, and in particular to Councillor Richard Cook who led the inquiry. It also sends out a good message about the quality of scrutiny undertaken in Cardiff, which helps ensure the effectiveness and value of the Council’s services”.
The “Raising the Profile” award was presented by Baroness Hamwee, Chair of the judging panel. The “Scrutineers’ Choice” category was voted upon by scrutiny Councillors and officers from across the UK from a short list of five projects, and Cardiff’s entry won 54% of the popular vote. It was presented by David Brindle, Public Services Editor of the Guardian newspaper.
The scrutiny inquiry examined the economic impact and management of the night time economy. It enjoyed great interest in the local and national media, and secured 3000 public responses to an online night time economy questionnaire.
Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Heather Joyce said, “To be recognised by your peers in this way is a great achievement and I’m delighted for all involved. Scrutiny is an important part of local democracy and our committees produce excellent and insightful work time and time again. This particular report on the night-time economy is timely and topical and has rightly gained national attention. I congratulate Cllr Williams, Cllr Cook and the Economy and Culture Committee as well as all the scrutiny officers who provide such wonderful support, these two awards are richly deserved.”
Scrutiny is a method for Councillors from all political parties to work together to challenge the Council’s Cabinet and service areas to produce the very best public services. Scrutiny operates through five Scrutiny Committees – Children and Young People, Community and Adult Services, Economy and culture, Environmental, and Policy Review and Performance.
Each of the Committees are currently developing their work programmes for 2012/13, and welcome ideas from the public on topics that they could consider during the year. If you have ideas on the kinds of services that you feel could usefully be challenged to improve their effectiveness or value for money, you are welcome to write to [email protected] or contact the Council’s C2C Contact Centre on Cardiff 2087 2087.
To view a short video on the night-time economy please click the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE3rav-f7Io&feature=plcp
