Council seeks help with 'right first time' strategy

Sheffield Council is proposing to change the way it deals with its citizens by offering several "new or improved" services - which senior councillors yesterday claimed will make life easier. Officials said ideas included an improved website where residents can access services and pay bills, longer opening hours and a new single contact number for all services.

Council leader Coun Paul Scriven said: "Although there are some good examples of good service within the council already, it can and should do a lot better.

"Local people say that they don't want to have to work their way through a myriad of different numbers to find the person they want to speak to in order to solve their problem.

"So it is proposed to have a single contact number with a person at the end of the phone who will bring different services together and do all the work for you.

"Residents also tell us that they want to access services in the evening, rather than have to take time out of their working day.

"So the council is looking at longer opening times up until 8pm and a website that will enable a 24-hour system to pay bills or request a service like graffiti removal or litter clean ups.

"Whether you live in Woodseats or Woodhouse, whether you are a local resident or business owner, or if you are a young person or a pensioner, these improvements will help to ensure the council gets it right for you first time. We want to hear local people's views on this so we are asking that they have a look at our plans and tell us what they think."

For more information and to give views visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/customerfocusstrategy. before the end of August.