Why not join our Citizens' Panel

 

... and get involved with the decision-making of your Council.

 

What is the Citizens' Panel?

The Vale of Glamorgan Council's Citizens’ Panel currently has over 1200 members of the population of the Vale of Glamorgan who help inform decision-making on a wide range of issues.

 

Why have a Citizens' Panel?

As all Panel members have agreed to take part with regular surveys and questionnaires, we can rely on a higher percentage of responses when we send them a questionnaire. That makes consulting with the public more cost effective.

 

How does the Citizens Panel work?

Panel members are asked to give just a few hours of their time each year to fill in questionnaires or take part in informal discussions.

 

What’s in it for you?

You know that your views are helping to shape decisions taken by the Council. Younger members of the Panel might find membership a useful addition to their first CV. Members receive a biannual newsletter about research being undertaken and how it influences the Council’s work.

 

What is the panel asked about?

Recent research has included members' views on tourism in the Vale and kerbside recycling, but the topics are extremely varied.

 

How confidential is it?

All questionnaires are conducted confidentially and all information held is protected by the Data Protection Act. All results are reported anonymously. None of the panellists can be identified.

 

Who sees the results from the questionnaires?

After each questionnaire the results are presented to Members of the Council and the managers of the services who have asked the questions. They are also circulated to Council’s 5,000 staff and posted on the Council's website.

 

Does the Council listen to what the Panel says?

Yes. The panel:

- points the Council in the right direction for residents

- indicates what needs to be done and improvements that need to be made

- identifies new directions that the Council should look into

- measures levels of awareness

 

Can I become a Panel Member?

Yes, any resident of the Vale of Glamorgan over the age of 16 is able to join the Panel. We aim to make the panel as statistically representative as possible, therefore it is vital that all groups within the local population are represented. We ask members tCitizens Panelo retire after being on the Panel for two years, so that membership is regularly refreshed.

 

Are you between the ages of 16 and 40?

If so we especially want you to hear more from you!  Nearly 1,300 Vale residents now take part in the Councils’ Citizens Panel, influencing what happens in the Vale – but the majority are in the 40 plus age group and Council leaders are concerned that the voices of younger residents are not being heard.

 

Want to know more? Then contact consultation officer, Rhian Thomas on 01446 709867 or email consultation@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

 

Apply to be a Member

Online Form: Citizen Panel