Have your say on Cardiff's digital services

If you use any Cardiff Council online services, the council is keen to hear your opinion.

It has launched a survey to better understand users' experiences and help improve what's on offer.

Like local authorities throughout the UK, Cardiff Council has embraced technology to enable residents access its services and contact the council online at the touch of a button or two.

The Cardiff Gov App is one of the most popular ways Cardiff residents get in touch with the council. Since its launch in 2018, it has been downloaded more than 79,000 times and enables users to have their queries dealt with by the right team across a range of council services, including:

1. Checking your recycling and waste collection dates and setting up reminders

2. Checking your council tax account

3. Arranging a bulky waste collection

4. Reporting a street cleaning problem, such as littering or dog fouling

5. Reporting fly-tipping directly from the scene

6. Reporting a problem on the road or pavement such as potholes or graffiti.

 The Council's 24-hour bilingual BOBi chatbot has already radically transformed the way residents access services. Its main services include:

1. Recycling and waste

2. Schools - information of term dates, admissions and catchment areas etc.

3. Council tax and benefits - information on change of address etc.

4. Fines - how to pay and how to appeal

5. Graffiti - reporting incidents and locations.

Launched in 2020, BOBi engages in an average of 5,000 chats per month, with 1,000 of those conversations being out of office hours. Feedback suggests that 80% of users find it okay, good or very good.

Chris Weaver, the council's cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, said the authority's digital services had already transformed the way it interacted with the public.

 "We want our digital services to become even more accessible and provide those services that matter the most to our residents. We know some residents will still need to be able to contact the council in person or on the phone, but by making it as easy as possible for people to use our digital channels we can make sure we're providing services in ways that suit everyone."

1. For more information, visit the Council's website here - Digital Services Survey (cardiff.gov.uk) or go directly to the survey - Digital Services Survey 2023 (snapsurveys.com)

2. The survey is available in English, Welsh, Polish, and Arabic, and paper copies can be found in Hubs and libraries across Cardiff. These can be returned using the blue box in the Hubs or the Freepost envelope provided.

3. The survey closes online at 11.30pm on Sunday, September 17.