Council staff working in front-line leisure services have been declared at the top of their game after winning a prestigious award.
The customer service excellence award was won by East Riding of Yorkshire Council staff working at leisure facilities, in the sport and play development team and in countryside access.
Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:
“This is fantastic news which confirms what we already knew. These teams have a strong track-record when it comes to providing first-class customer service
“You only have to look at the surge in the number of people using our leisure facilities to see how much people value what is on offer and the welcome they receive.
“During millions of visits last year people throughout the East Riding experienced first-hand how our leisure teams can help anyone who is looking to improve their health, push themselves, or have a good time doing something energetic with friends.”
Last year leisure centres in the East Riding were used more than four million times.
The total figure of 4,035,884 visits to the council’s leisure centres is an increase of 1,500,000 visits a year since 2006.
During the assessment the leisure facilities, sport and play development service and countryside access teams were described as ‘an excellent service and recognised nationally as a good practice in many areas confirmed by a range of quality standards, national recognition and leisure industry awards’.
The East Riding’s leisure centres were also recently described by the Institute of Customer Services as world class when it comes to customer service and one of only seven organisations in the UK to be awarded this status.
Areas where a coordinated approach has seen greater benefits to customers include health initiatives such as the council’s Walking for Health, and Exercise Referral schemes.
Other joint ventures include the provision of new and exciting children’s adventurous play areas including the destination playpark at Haltemprice and the adventure playground at Withernsea.
This is in addition to amenity development in partnership with community groups for a new skatepark and bowling green at Haltemprice.
The countryside Walking the Riding website has also received national recognition as one of the best in the UK.
Darren Stevens, the council’s head of culture and information, said:
“This is a fantastic result which comes because of hard work and consistently high standards from the staff working in these teams. The fact that we continue to win plaudits such as this is a result of the pride and professionalism these staff show on a daily basis.”