Published: 01/07/2021
COPELAND Council received almost twice as many compliments from residents in 2020/21 as it did in the previous year.
The council formally recorded 106 compliments in the past year, new figures show, compared to 62 over the previous 12-month period.
Compliments ranged from the level of care given to parks and open spaces and the high standard of street-cleaning and environmental protection, to the quality of communications and customer service and the efficiency of the planning service. The council’s Bereavement Services team was also widely praised for its virtual Christmas memorial service.
The highest number of compliments this year were received by the Waste and Recycling team for their dedication at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Revenues and Benefits teams for the speed and efficiency of processing business and support grants.
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “In a year that our colleagues have faced unprecedented challenges – both in their professional and personal lives – it is extremely welcome to see the increased levels of appreciation and thanks being expressed by our community.
“Further to the formal compliments we have received and logged, this is only the tip of the iceberg as our Councillors, Directors and I have personally had the pleasure of accepting many more informal compliments on behalf of our workforce from residents in person, over the phone and on social media. That’s not to mention the gifts, food and treats that have been delivered to our staff by generous members of the public over the past 18 months.”
Pat Graham, Chief Executive of Copeland Council, said: ”While our frontline service, understandably, receive the lion’s share of the compliments, it’s important too to again publicly recognise our talented and dedicated support services at the council who keep us all functioning.
“Every member of the team at Copeland Council works above and beyond in the most challenging of circumstances to do what we do best; to deliver high quality services to our residents.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time who put their thanks to our team on record; a kind word means a great deal.”
Compliments received include:
- “Thank you so much for helping our small business; you really don’t know how much of a lifeline this is to us.”
- “The flower tribute to the NHS is beautiful. Work like that lifts the spirits. Well done to all involved.”
- “The council’s communication throughout this has been second to none. They have been excellent.”
- “Thank you so much for working as quickly as you have to process business grants. I really appreciate all you’re doing.”
- “The bin men are doing a great job in difficult circumstances. I left them a box of Heroes – because they are.”
