Local Government
Rochford District Council
Rochford District Council
Special News Release
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News Release Date: 2 February 2011
Customer Service Excellence accreditation for Rochford
Rochford District Council’s Revenues and Benefits team has become one of only a small number of local government departments in the East of England to have received a nationally-recognised accreditation for its excellent customer service.
The team, which is responsible for administering Housing and Council Tax benefit to residents as well as collecting Council Tax, Business Rates and investigating benefit fraud, has become one of only three Revenues and Benefits departments in East Anglia to have received Customer Service Excellence accreditation, the Government’s customer service standard.
In order to receive the accreditation, Rochford’s Revenues and Benefits team had to demonstrate to an assessor that they are committed to making sure customers who use their services are provided with the information they need, quickly, professionally and courteously.
The assessment also had to show evidence that the team was continuously striving to improve and develop the service in response to the needs of its customers.
Rochford is one of only 25 Revenues and Benefits departments nationally to have earned the accreditation and the first department within Rochford District Council to have achieved the status.
Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Council Tax Collection, Benefits and Strategic Housing Functions, Councillor Mrs Tracy Capon said: "The Council’s Revenues and Benefits team pride themselves on the high levels of customer service they offer to our residents. This award was a natural progression for them as they have already been recognised for their first-rate customer service by gaining Charter Mark Status in 2008, 2009 and 2010. However, the judging criteria they had to meet for this new accreditation was extremely challenging and it is testament to how hard the team works to ensure the people who use their service are dealt with politely and professionally.”