Council team wins gold in major national awards

Their team was judged the best in its category in the awards scheme run by the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV).  

The tough judging process included an inspection by IRRV officials, and the Council's Revenues and Benefits staff gave a presentation. Judges also saw the mobile team in action at Westcliff Library.  

For the Excellence in Customer Service Award category, organisations had to show they had excelled in customer service, giving evidence of high levels of customer satisfaction (both face to face and by other channels) and/or rapid improvement in satisfaction levels due to new practices.  

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Corporate Support Services, Councillor Andrew Moring said: "Many congratulations to our Revenues and Benefits Team for this excellent result, which is hugely well deserved.  

"They are a credit to the Council and to the borough, and we are delighted that their extremely high standards have been recognised nationally.

"We know that the judges were impressed with the Benefits Team's Mobile Working Service, operating from libraries across the borough, giving benefits advice face to face. 

"The panel also highlighted the positive feedback from Customers.  

"In addition, panel members were interested in the flexible payment arrangements and range of direct debit dates offered by the Revenues Team - especially because these have not impacted on collection rates."