The Fund helps councils create better public services focused on the needs of local people. Over the past year the fund has been used by local authorities, working in collaboration with other public and voluntary sector partners to develop innovative, robust and sustainable scrutiny processes.
This year, the scheme will involve eleven local authorities. The successful applicants include Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Newport, Cardiff, Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan, who will receive Welsh Assembly Government funding amounting to over £76,000. The local authorities will contribute a further £48,000 to the Scrutiny Development Fund, bringing the total to £125,000. Increased co-operation between local authorities and the voluntary sector will have a positive impact upon public services right across Wales.
Since the Scrutiny Development Fund was established, a number of excellent collaborative projects between local authorities and partner organisations have been undertaken; developing new methods of scrutiny or improving existing ones. For example, Carmarthenshire local authority and the Community Health Council have worked together to improve health and social services in the area. Another project enabled Cardiff council to research ways to reduce the burden of regulation and inspection through the development of scrutiny.
The projects will enable other local authorities to learn from their successes and build upon the excellent work that has already taken place to make scrutiny a powerful tool for improving public services.
Announcing the successful applicants, Dr Gibbons said:
“I have been impressed with the take-up of the Scrutiny Development Fund, which we launched last year. I am sure such projects will pay long term dividends, enabling councillors to successfully scrutinise public services and develop new policy proposals in relation to the needs of the local people.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to working with local government towards our joint goal of providing better local services for the citizens of Wales. The Scrutiny Development Fund is a drive towards this goal, challenging and informing local service decisions as to improve public services in Wales. “
