MD's Column February 2009

I want to start this month’s column by saying thank you to the Council’s staff for the excellent work they are doing under the same kind of difficult circumstances that you are all currently facing.

I suspect that for many of you, your jobs have changed since the recession kicked in. Budgets have to be carefully watched and value for money has become a stark reality in all walks of life.

I explained in last month’s column that we have been burning the midnight oil to make the income we will receive this year stretch to cover the services we bring to you. And to extend services to residents who have never needed them before as they faced a reduction in income.

But through everything that has come our way our staff have continued to deliver an excellent service to the borough.

One example of this is our customer services team. It is no secret that not so long ago we were in the press too frequently for all the wrong reasons. People trying to ring the Council were all too often placed in a queue that could see a lengthy wait.

Since those days we have brought in and trained more staff and introduced new working practices. The results have been excellent.

The Council has joined a mystery shopper scheme which monitors local authorities. It looks at the Council’s website, telephone services and emails.

A range of things are measured including how call centre staff answer telephone calls, and the way information is transferred when the caller is put through to the service they need.

At our first attempt we came 32 out of 37. In January we had improved this magnificently to come fifth!

So I want to say a big thank you to all the staff concerned and to assure you that we will strive to continue to constantly improve all services.

One of the services which will come under more demand is help with benefits and council tax.

I am not sure if you are aware that you don’t have to be made redundant from your job to get some help. People who have seen their working week cut may also be able to reduce the amount of council tax or rent they pay.

A call to 01493 846291 will get you some advice or you can make an appointment to come in and talk to someone.

In time of recession some people chose to buck the trend and begin their own business. It isn’t the mad idea it seems and many go on to become successful in their market.

The Council can offer help here as well through the services offered by enterpriseGY. From offices on the Conge staff offer help to fledgling business on everything from forming a business plan to legalities and IT.

The help also extends to providing a businesses acceleration service called Catalyst, for new and established small businesses. The services not only provides excellent premises to work from, but also continuing help to grow the business.

A competition called Passion For Business is offering free tenancy at Catalyst for six months. A call to 01493 335696 will get you more information.

We have another concert at the Hippodrome on March 15 following on the success of the Julian Lloyd Webber event in February. This time we welcome the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. If you can attend it will give a welcome relief from economic gloom.

Tickets can be obtained by calling 01493 844172 or go to www.hippodromecircus.co.uk.

Bookmark with:

• Delicious
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• Stumble Upon