Page 9 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2006 9
What could Swindon do better?
As Swindon Council moves into a new civic year it is making a big
push to improve lines of communication with the public.
Deposit an idea Web connected
In addition to e-mail and web sites The council's web site at
for communication, Swindon www.swindon.gov.uk provides a
Council has erected good old fash- comprehensive range of informa-
ioned suggestion boxes at librar- tion on council services, including
ies, museums, leisure and arts cen- access to information on planning
tres, and in main reception areas, applications and contact details for
where you can leave your views councillors across the borough.
on which services could be im- Questions to the cabinet
proved and how. Public question time takes place at
The boxes are one of the coun- thebeginningofeachcouncilmeet-
cil's collection of promises to the ing, but this only lasts 15 minutes
public (number 12) to improve and is usually restricted to a single
communication with local people. question.
CouncillorFionuala Foley, Cabi- The cabinet, which is the coun-
net Member for Corporate Affairs, cil's main decision making body,
Policy and Performance said, " we holds a 30 minute pre-cabinet fo-
genuinely want to hear construc- rum where points of concern can
tive ways in which we can im- be raised in greater detail.
prove our services. You never The cabinet next meets at the
know, your idea could help save Civic Offices on Wednesdays: 7
the council time and money and June, 12 July, 23 August.
improve our quality of life in Swin- The forum takes place between
don." 6pm and 6.30 pm.

Council to offer better contact
Views wanted on new service by 16 June
Swindon Borough Council will be launching a new-look customer
services department in 2007 to make it easier for people to contact
them with queries, requests and for information, and they want to
know what people think of the proposal.

An artist's impression of hozo
the one-stop shop could look
It will include a one-stop shop ferred opening times and the best
where people can drop in and ways of getting help and advice -
speak to a member of staff face to whether it is by phone, email, over
face, and a contact centre to handle the internet or face to face.
phone calls and enquiries by email The closing date for completed
or letter. questionnaires is 16 June.
Council leader Roderick Bluh
said the aim will be to answer the Looking further afield
majority of queries without hav- The council's overview and scru-
ing to be passed on to other de- tiny committees are concerned with
partments. "The one-stop shop and other public services like the po-
contact centre are Promises One li ce, fire. ambulance and health
and Two in our commitment to organisations.
deliver 50 promises. It can be frus- Members have also looked into
trating when people are not able to issues such as nutrition in school,
pin down the information they recycling, sheltered housing, the
need from the council. menace of discarded chewing gum
"We want our customer serv- and dog fouling.
ices to be the customers' champion If you believe there is something
by answering 80 per cent of que- affecting the borough that you think
ries right away." needs to be investigated. contact
A questionnaire is available in Jodie Townsend on 463109 or mail:
libraries, leisure centres or council jtownsend@swindon .gov.uk
office reception desks and at The work of overview and scru-
www.swindon.gov.uk to provide tiny can be examined at:
guidance to the council on pre- www.swindon.gov.uk