Slough Borough Council’s trading standards, food and safety teams have been rewarded for their excellent customer service, with confirmation of their government Charter Mark Status.
The government’s Charter Mark Status is awarded to public sector organisations who achieve the national standard of excellence in customer service.
The three Slough council teams were awarded the Charter Mark Status in 2007, and following a recent audit review this has now been extended until 2010.
The audit took place last month to ensure the departments were maintaining customer focus, and continuing to improve services to customers against six set criteria.
The auditor, John Frankcom from SGS UK Ltd., was shown two examples of the teams at work, visiting a road traffic check and a local children’s centre. This demonstrated the range and diversity of the work undertaken by the teams in partnership with organisations across the borough.
The council worked with the police on the road traffic check, stopping drivers and inspecting the vehicles and goods carried. Trading standards officers weighed vehicles to ensure they were not overloaded, and checked the accuracy of invoices against the goods carried.
At the children’s centre, the food team worked in conjunction with Slough Sure Start, to develop healthy and balanced diets and ensure food preparation facilities adhered to good hygiene standards.
Over lunch, the auditor met staff, senior Slough Borough Council managers, local businesses, partners, consumers and stakeholders to discuss their involvement with the two teams.
At the end of the review, the auditor commented that the teams were enthusiastic, dedicated and committed to their customers. The Charter Mark Status was then confirmed for a further two years.
Keith Eaglestone, trading standards manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “We are thrilled to have our Charter Mark Status extended until 2010.
“The auditor’s visit allowed us to demonstrate our continued efforts into providing excellent service to the people of Slough.”
Cllr Shafiq Chaudhry, commissioner for community and leisure, said: “This Charter Mark is a great achievement for the trading standards, food and safety teams, and recognises the hard work put in to ensure residents are safe and well informed.”
Slough Borough Council
