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Housing team wins top award

27/12/2001

MACCLESFIELD Borough Council's housing department have been awarded a prestigious Charter Mark for excellence.

The 200-strong team is responsible for managing and providing social housing throughout the borough.

They are first group at the council to achieve Charter Mark status.

As well as meeting the ten criteria for excellence the inspector, Colin Brown, made special mention of the staffs' high professional standards of customer care and in particular their work in caring for the interests of minority and vulnerable groups.

Housing chairman, Councillor Jim Crockatt, said: "This is a well deserved Christmas present for all the staff.

"The Charter Mark looks at every aspect of customer service and everyone's contribution counts.

"It is also good news for our tenants and other users of our services.

"Customers deserve the best we can provide and I believe it is reassuring to know that we are formally committed to maintaining these standards and improving them where possible."

Housing chief, Grahmam Dodgson, added: "Winning the award has put an extra spring in our step.

"I would like to thank our tenants and partner organisations who assisted with the Charter Mark process.

"It was particularly pleasing for us to be told by the independent inspector that our users commended our commitment to the delivery of an open, fair and excellent service. This in itself is a prize well worth having."

They will be presented with the Charter Mark at a special ceremony in Westminster early in the New Year.