The Local Government Association has responded to the accusation that the public sector lags behind business, and particularly supermarkets, in serving customers. It examined how customer information is used to manage performance. The research covered a wide range of customer information such as demographic data, complaints, information from surveys and consultations as well as customer satisfaction.The purpose of the research was to find out what businesses could teach local government about understanding their customers. The main findings are that organisations with a customer focus make the use of customer data a priority and champion this at senior level. Those organisations which are responsive to customers put real drive and energy behind this approach. They champion the customer view throughout the organisation.and invest in skills and resources. Successful organisations invest in people and systems to ensure that customer data is timely, robust and interpreted so that it is useful to the right people at the right time. They invest time in clarifying the purpose of the data to be used. The data needs to support decision-making and not be led by the technology or what is already available. The leadership of the organisation determines what data is needed not the technical experts.
All 43 police forces in England and Wales today begin a summer Drink and Drug Driving Campaign and it coincides with a warning from local government leaders that the World Cup is likely to lead an increase in drinking and driving. Many local authorities are launching road safety campaigns for the start of the tournament on Friday.The police campaign focuses on the fact that during the summer people are out more in the afternoon and evenings enjoying themselves and often using their vehicles. The Association of Chief Police Officers says the number of deaths caused by drunk rose by 130 between 1998 and 2004. This, they say, is unacceptable. ACPO also points to the World Cup as a time when people will celebrate in their own homes, at other people’s houses or by going to a local pub.
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The Government is to try out the idea of ensuring that people who are evicted as a result of anti-social behaviour undertake rehabilitation. Those that do not co-operate will face reductions in their housing benefit or the loss of the payment. The proposed pilot schemes are part of the Respect programme and will need new legislation, which the Department of Work and Pensions is to pursue as soon as practicable.John Hutton, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said the measure was not about changing the eviction process but about getting people to change their behaviour. It will be used only in cases where a person refuses to address their behaviour using the support and help that are offered to them. The overall aim, he said, was to bring about a culture of self-respect and respect for others and the community.
Read more on ANTI-SOCIAL NEIGHBOURS FACE BENEFIT CUTS IN PLANNED PILOTS…