Wokingham Residents Encouraged To Go Digital
Wokingham Borough Council is encouraging residents to go digital to ensure they receive the most efficient service and latest news while helping to save money.
The cost of providing basic services is increasing dramatically and these unprecedented financial challenges are coming at a time when residents are most in need. The council is committed to looking at ways to continue to provide help and support to all its residents and local businesses through sound financial management.
With the number of calls to its customer service team continuing to rise, the council is working hard to ensure relevant information, including what support can be offered, is readily available on its website.
Self-service options, including signing up to pay your council tax over 12 months rather that 10 months, are available on the website. Other functions on the website, including reporting issues or paying for services, continue to provide quickest and most cost effective way to communicate with the council.
The council aims to provide a faster and improved online service for residents and has this week launched a survey asking for their feedback on content and functionality of the current website. An improved website will launch next summer that will ensure content is clearer on different devices including smartphone.
The council is also looking to raise awareness of its popular newsletters which offer residents and local businesses the opportunity to stay up to date with the latest council news.
Clive Jones, leader of the council, said, “Our website offers information on help and support available to you, as well as self service functionality on things like reporting problems and paying for services like garden waste renewal which will save you valuable time as well as saving money. 93% of garden waste renewals were carried out online this year which saved the council £63,000 compared to if those residents had called up renew.
“We understand that going online isn’t for everyone and sometimes, especially when you are asking for help and guidance, talking directly to someone is absolutely what is needed to provide information, guidance and reassurance and our customer services team are here to support you.
“Our council website it a great way to access a wide variety of information about our services 24/7 but there is always room for improvement, and we would welcome any feedback through our survey from residents about what would make the site easier to navigate and more user friendly.”
The website also offers residents the opportunity to sign up to the council’s newsletters which provide regular updates on a wide spectrum of subjects. Residents can choose the ones that interest them the most and get them delivered straight to their inbox.
Further Information
Further information on all council services can be found at Wokingham.gov.uk. However, the council’s customer service team are also available to talk on the phone Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0118 974 6000 or face to face at the Shute End office.
