Wokingham

A Lower Earley mum is £100 better off thanks to a prize draw by Wokingham District Council’s revenues and benefits service.

In August the Wokingham service sent satisfaction surveys to just under 500 people who had used the service during June and July this year. Looking to improve customer service, the surveys asked customers about their satisfaction with contacting the benefits office, the staff in the benefits office, the forms they need to fill in and the length of time the claim process takes. As an incentive to get as many people as possible to complete and return the form promptly, everyone who returned their form before August 31 was put into a prize draw with the chance of winning £100!

And lucky winner Claire Harris and 14-month-old Luke joined vice-chairman of the Wokingham council Cllr Annette Drake at a special presentation ceremony to receive her cheque.

Claire said: “I have always been pleased with the level of service offered when I contact staff at the council. I get good advice and they have always dealt with my queries promptly and in a friendly way.

“I was happy to complete the survey and let staff know what I thought, and was even happier when I got the call to say I’d won the prize draw. I really didn’t believe it would be me! Being a single mum, the money will really come in handy to help pay some bills!”

Wokingham Cllr Annette Drake said: “It’s always good to know what our customers think and surveys such as this are a really useful tool in letting us know what we’re doing right and where we can improve.

“I’m pleased to be able to present this cheque to Claire as a thank you for taking the time to complete our questionnaire and give us an idea of how we’re doing.”

Anyone who was sent the survey and has not yet returned it still has time to do so. Completed surveys will be accepted up until Friday October 13, 2006.

Wokingham District Council