- Abertillery Online Discussion Forum -

Rocke · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 795 Location: Abertillery

Supposed to have been a recess but as you'll have realised not for me.

Anyway, the main thing this past week was the first working group meeting of an initiative to provide citizens with a more effective service when they call us.

This whole thing is called in the industry 'Customer Care'.
As a arch-proponent of it ( I REALLY believe in the idea ) I think it's a carp title. The concept is that customers are what your business depends on and so you make sure they are well looked after.
I look on it as 'customers pay our wages, so make sure they go away feeling they have had a good experience and any problems have been sorted for them'.
Don't like the idea and never have.

I've alway looked upon those people who sometimes rely on me to enable them to do their jobs properly as colleagues, and those who need help as being the reason I get a great kick out of solving problems - I help someone.

Anyway, 'Customer Care' it's universally called so 'Customer Care' it is.
A very refreshing work group, which underlines what I've thought of our officers since Election Day. They have really good ideas and are fighting to get them running, because they - like me in my time - want to make people's lives as easy as possible.
We're not just looking to sort things out as quickly as possible when someone contacts us but to put things in place that will mean people won't have to call us.
An example is the one I mentioned last week regarding Doggie Bins.
Why should you ever have to have a doggie litter bag left on the pavement ?
We could:
1) put C2BG's number on the bins so as soon as it was full we could be told; or
2) check the bins every week and when becoming full empty them, so no-one would ever have to call us ( and therefore no more bags on the floor ).

That's the sort of mentality we're trying to get into - prevention is bette than cure, and if we can't prevent, we'll get the cure in place quicker.

The most time-consuming thing of the week is the 'lip' or whatever at the top of Station Hill.
I've left a message for one our officers and I hope to be able to let you all know tomorrow:

1) what the idea was;
2) why it's been removed;
3) what the cost was,

since that's what everyone I saw over the weekend (well it seems like that ) wants to know.

Due to a diary mess-up I missed last week's Licencing Ctte and I apologise for that.

One of my colleagues has made comments and suggestions regarding the town and how we are promoting it and its use.
He's ignited me and I've written to Don Wilcox, Executive for Regeneration with a few suggestions of my own.
Simply tinkering with the roads, getting our traders to open in the evenings, Sunday opening etc. won't solve this.
We need to harness the desire there is within this town and support bodies such as the newly-formed 'Friends of Abertillery' in their efforts to bring this town's reputation as a - even the - place to visit.
This one's going to run. There's so much we have here and as Councillors, and captains of our communities, we have to lead on the field.
Next year is a big year for this Borough and it should - and MUST - be for Aber. We're not going to talk a bit like the Community Council, start something and never see it through. We are going to formulate a strategy, get involved in partnerships with those groups that need to play a fundamental part - arts and sporting organisations, the traders, you, citizens and together we are all going to do our bit. Well that's my objective anyway.

Had a conversation with someone who represents and organisation that has a plan for a Community Centre in Cwmtillery. I've directed them to CF since they provide valuable and effective support to such ideas. I gather useful advice has already been provided.
Let's hope something comes of this initiative.

Lots of meetings this week so next week's 'WTW' should mean you have to put the kettle on.

Cheers.

_________________
Rocke