West Lindsey District Council’s operational services team picked up an award for the Best Performer in Refuse Collection 2023.
The Council retained its title in the highly regarded Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Performance Networks Annual Awards. Over 300 authorities benchmark their performance data each year.
Member authorities are judged on a range of criteria and data including cost, missed bins, staff performance, and complaint handling, are all considered.
Cllr Stephen Bunney, chair of the council’s, Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change working group, praised the team for achieving the accolade.
He said:
“We strive to ensure all of our services deliver to the high standards we expect as an authority and more importantly meet the expectations of the people and business in our communities. This award highlights the commitment and hard work of people across the team who you will see out and about come rain or sunshine. I would like to say a big well done to everyone involved.”
The operational services team embraced a number of changes in the last two years . They have new in-cab devices on their daily rounds, which allows staff to upload real time information about waste collections taking place across the district. The information is now collated into the new Council data base known as the Customer Relations Manager (CRM) software, which can be accessed by customer service colleagues.
The Council’s operational service staff are able to record bins presented at the roadside and if they are contaminated and by what. They can also record if side waste is presented (as West Lindsey does not collect side waste) and also if they had no access to a property.
It means the Council can respond to customer queries and see real time reports from the crews, which gives customer service colleagues all the information they need to advise callers.
Operational Services Manager at West Lindsey District Council Rob Gilliot said he was proud of the team. He said:
“This award shows the dedication and hard work of the waste team in being able to deliver an excellent value for money service.”
Rob, who is also the Chair of the council’s Safety Advisory Group, added:
“I’m extremely proud of the team, to receive this award in successive years. It shows the hard work that they all put in and that it is consistent year on year, which our residents can be proud of.”
The APSE promotes excellence in public services, and is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.