Excellent service at Rochdale Council rewarded

National Customer Service Week

National Customer Service Week 3 - 9 October 2005.

The very best in public service from across Rochdale borough is celebrated at an awards ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall this week.

The ceremony is being held to recognise staff, from across Rochdale Council, who have been complemented by customers (both internal & external) for their exceptional levels of customer service, and who have gone the "extra mile". The event, on Wednesday 5 October takes place during National Customer Service Week.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, will present the prizes to more than 100 employees from many different Council services, and from throughout the borough.

National Customer Service week is held each year to recognise the importance of good customer service. Thousands of staff from across the public, private and voluntary sectors take part, with the backing of national organisations such as the Institute of Customer Service.

Case studies

Fred Bamford, a caretaker employed by Property and Facilities Management in Rochdale, was nominated for his consistent hard and reliable work. Comments from his customers include: "He takes immense pride in his work and every task is completed to a very high standard - he is a pleasure to have around the office" and, "in my 35 years in the public sector I have not come across a more committed caretaker than Fred".

Jennifer Harris is a librarian at Smithybridge library. She was nominated by "all grateful readers at Smithybridge library" who said, "we are so fortunate to have her as our librarian , she is a credit not only to the library service but to Rochdale Council. Jennifer regularly does many things above the call of duty including organising Christimas parties for the children, coffee afternoons for the older members and makes the most amazing themed cakes for the children's parties."

Linda Norbury and her colleagues in the catering team at St Joseph's Primary school in Heywood were nominated for supporting Healthy Eating so positively at the school. Head Teacher Mrs Burns said: "Our catering team's introduction of taster pots, the fresh salad bar and a wide range of choices in hot and cold food has revolutionised meal times at St Joseph's"

Staff at Furrow Sports Centre in Middleton were nominated by Julia Block, Network Manager, Extended Schools, for their hard work and for being "consistently polite, knowledgeable, helpful and very much in touch with community needs". Customers' comments supported this and remarked on the pleasant atmosphere with staff who are confident, helpful and friendly.