Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Environmental Services shortlisted for another top award

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Environmental Services team has been shortlisted in the Workforce Optimisation category at the Municipal Journal Achievement Awards for its work to provide an improved and efficient service for residents.

This is in addition to the recent news that the service has made it to the finals of the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Environmental Service Award.

The MJ provides news and intelligence about the UK’s local authorities, and the awards acknowledge “the tremendous effort of those in local government dedicating themselves to supporting local communities.”

The Workforce Optimisation award recognises local authorities who have developed and engaged employees in a service to improve performance and delivery and make a positive impact on the experience of residents.

In response to an increase in demand for Environmental Services between 2019 and 2022, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Environmental Services team implemented a transformation programme which has delivered an improved workplace culture, efficient services, a range of creative projects, and driven innovative solutions to improve customer experience for residents.

Working with colleagues and partners at Qwest, some exciting, innovative changes have been made to improve customer experience and manage demand and expectation. The main focus has been to ensure that residents have access to information about the services the Council provides so that they can self-serve, expectations can be managed, and the need to raise enquiries is reduced.

One example of this approach is that Cheshire West and Chester is one of the first local authorities to introduce QR codes on litter bins. Using their smartphones, customers can scan the code to find out when the bin will be emptied next, or to report it as damaged. An interactive map has also been developed on the Council website to help residents with grass cutting enquiries, enabling people to check when an area of grass is next due to be cut. The number of enquiries received by our contact centre for Environmental Services reduced by over a third from 2021 to 2022, as residents can now access the information they need more easily online.

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:

“We are delighted that the Environmental Services team are now double award nominees, having been shortlisted at the MJ Achievement Awards to go alongside reaching the final of the LGC Environment Service award. The team has provided residents with measurably better outcomes over recent months through a workforce culture programme and transforming service delivery.

“The Council puts our residents at the heart of everything we do, and we have developed a wide range of creative, unique, and innovative solutions to improve customer experience, significantly reduce demand, and markedly improve culture within the team - with and for our staff. It is fantastic that this hard work has been recognised by the MJ for this award.”

Find out more about Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Environmental Services on the Council website:

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The MJ Achievement Awards take place on 23 June 2023.