Colchester Borough Council has launched a Customer Service Survey to understand why residents access Council Services in the way that they do. From 11th July the Council begun to gather customer feedback to ensure it is providing the right services at the right location. Customers visiting the Customer Service Centre, High Street will be asked to take the opportunity to have their say, by participating in the survey and shaping the future delivery of Council services. The Customer Service Survey asks:
- Why customers prefer to visit their office rather than use the phone or email and
- Where they have travelled from and what mode of travel they use when they come into town to visit CBC.
- Whether they would prefer to access Council Services within their local community from locations such as library or Parish Council premises.
Cllr Beverley Oxford, Portfolio Holder for Customers, said: “The Council is committed to providing excellent customer service to residents and the business community, and wants to future proof its services so that we can ensure we are providing customer service in a format and location that meets our customers changing needs. “Residents’ views are very important in helping us to shape the future of Council services. Complete our customer survey and communicate your priorities and needs to the Council.”
Customers can also complete the survey online at www.colchester.gov.uk/customersurvey until 2 September 2011. Following the 2 September we will collate and consider responses as part of the first stage of the Council’s customer services consultation.
From July 1st, Essex Police becomes one of the first forces to switch to the new, national, police non-emergency 101 telephone number (replacing 0300 333 4444). You can use this number if you need to contact Essex Police about any non-emergency crime issue, to contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, to seek crime prevention or personal safety advice, contact your nearest police station or to speak to us about any other non-emergency issue.
Medieval Combat Display team
Main show schedules available as 
46 members and 6 visitors attended our May meeting when Jane Maylon (right in the photo) told us all about “Adopting an Attitude”. It was a most intriguing title and most of us had guessed incorrectly when Jane proceeded to tell us all about her Adoption in the mid 50’s, at the tender age of just 6 weeks from the “Waifs and Strays” now known as “The Childrens Society.” She talked about the change in attitude to adoption relaying many amusing stories along the way. She also told us how she had tracked down her birth Mother in Canada, and having written to her for several years, finally meeting her. It was a very uplifting experience and Jane was a delight to listen to.
44 members and 3 visitors attended our April meeting when Brian Curtois told us all about his “30 years with the BBC.” Brian started his early career as a Reporter with a small newspaper in Hornchurch before progressing onto the Ilford Recorder. He then moved to Nottingham before returning to London as part of the Press Agency. He covered a number of major events including the Great Train Robbery and the wedding of Peter Sellers to Britt Ekland. On his first attempt at joining the BBC he got a rejection letter but one year later his second attempt to be offered the post of General News Reporter. For 3 years he covered the Middle East and then Northern Ireland. Over the years he has interviewed numerous people including Ian Paisley, Margaret Thatcher, Mohammad Ali and Bruce Forsythe to name but a few and worked with people like Alan Freeman and Terry Wogan on Late Night Extra and David Dimbleby when working as the Political Correspondent at Westminister. He saw lots of changes over the years with the change from radio to television and relayed several amusing stories. Another very enjoyable evening.
In the face of rising fuel prices Essex Police are concerned that an already endemic problem of fuel theft, particularly from rural buildings, will only get worse if steps are not taken to reduce them. Whilst they will be doing their bit to apprehend the perpetrators, they have put together a comprehensive leaflet outlining steps you can take yourselves to help reduce the prospects of it happening at your home. The leaflet, which can be 