No. 10 praises Council for No. 1 service

12.00.00am GMT Mon 22nd Mar 2010

Improvements made by Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council have been praised by No. 10 Downing Street. In a letter to Council staff from Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister congratulated the Guildhall on achieving the government's 'Customer Excellence Standard'.

Last year, the Council became one of the first local authorities in England and Wales to achieve the award, after an assessment by government inspectors.

The inspector spoke with customers and members of staff about the service provided by the Guildhall's One Stop Shop and telephone Contact Centre.

The inspectors found that the Council had consistently provided a high level of customer service and that staff were knowledgeable, helpful and committed to responding to people's needs.

The inspector commented that:

"All staff involved showed a real passion for what they do and a pride in delivering customer focused services."

Leader of Northampton Borough Council, Cllr Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) said:

"Improving the Council's customer service record was a key manifesto commitment. Since 2007, we have worked hard to putting local customers at the heart of everything the Council does.

"Since taking control of the Council, we have invested in staff and introduced new technologies to help the Council offer better, quicker and slicker services to its customers.

"I am delighted to see that the progress we have made - in such a short space of time - has been recognised by No. 10.

"It is a real achievement to have met the government's Customer Excellence Standard and is another sign of how the Council is improving under the Lib Dems.

"We will not rest on our laurels, but our staff can feel justifiably proud that the Prime Minister has added his praise to what we are doing."

ENDS