New chair for Newport Fairness Commission
Posted on Thursday 30th August 2018
Internationally renowned academic Dr Gideon Calder has been appointed chair of Newport Fairness Commission.
Dr Calder replaces Professor Steve Smith who was thanked for all his hard work in helping Newport City Council to establish the NFC in 2012.
Under the leadership of Professor Smith it has established itself as one of the most enduring and innovative as it has evolved and developed ways of systematically scrutinising local government decision making.
While there are other Fairness Commissions in England and Scotland Newport Fairness Commission is the only one in Wales and its members have helped create and deliver training on fairness and the evaluation of policy and practice to key decision makers while promoting public debate about fairness.
Dr Calder has been an active member of the Commission since its inception and has given evidence to committees at the National Assembly of Wales and is a regular contributor to BBC radio and TV programmes on various issues which have an effect on the lives of Newport residents.
Since moving from the University of South Wales to a new role at Swansea University in August 2016 Dr Calder has maintained very strong connections with Newport and has kept in touch with development at the council and in the wider city via his work in the Commission and elsewhere.
Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council said: “We would like to thank outgoing chair Professor Steve Smith who has helped shape Newport Fairness Commission since its inception in 2012.
“And we anticipate that Dr Calder’s leadership, with his experience and track record, will ensure the Commission's future as a vibrant and dynamic independent body, that both challenges and engages public opinion and political decision-making concerning the value of fairness, will be guaranteed.”