Putting People First
Three of Wealden District Council’s twelve service areas have been awarded Charter Mark status, a prestigious award for excellent customer service in the public sector.
“We are very pleased that Public Health & Community Development; Planning and Building Control; and Financial Services have been granted Charter Mark status for their services,” said Councillor Norman Buck, Cabinet member for Change Management. “It is a tremendous first step in our goal of achieving Charter Mark status for all of the Council’s services, underlining the commitment of the Council to Put People First.
“The aim of Charter Mark is to show that we, as a public service, are able to respond to our customers’ needs, that we listen and learn from what our customers say they want, that we use our resources effectively and ensure high standards of customer service apply right through our organisation.
“We have learnt a lot through the Charter Mark process, which involves a rigorous assessment by an external inspector, and will continue learn as we prepare our remaining nine services for Charter Mark accreditation.”
Wealden District Council’s Public Health and Community Development service carries out a wide range of functions which people often associate with other organisations. It safeguards the health of the community ensuring that hygiene and safety standards are maintained in restaurants, food businesses, shops and other enterprises; provides public health advice to schools and families, advises on infectious diseases, and implements the Government’s Smokefree policy. Young people, sport and play development, Community Safety and responsibility for leisure provision through partnership with Freedom Leisure make up some of the key aspects of the service’s Community Development role.
Planning and Development Control is one of the busiest planning departments in the country, handling over 3,000 planning applications each year. Applications can range from residents wanting to build an extension to major housing developments or applications requiring conservation area or historic building consent. On many occasions officers provide free informal advice to residents as well as advising neigbours and other local people who may be affected by applications. Officers also provide a round-the-clock building safety service and take action when planning rules are broken.
As well as providing the fiancial and accounting skills to run a busy council like Wealden, Financial Services also provides council tax and housing support to resdients. It collects council tax on behalf of the police, fire and rescue service and other public authorities serving in Wealden and business rates for the Government.
