Bexley (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Bexley Council launches a new QR code feedback system, including a ‘red button’ feature, aiming to streamline complaints and boost customer service insights.
As reported by The Pinnacle Gazette, by installing QR codes at all customs stations and customs clearance facilities, the State Revenue Committee (SRC) plans to improve the feedback system for customs services.
By acting as a “red button,” these QR codes will allow members of the public and corporate representatives to send grievances straight to the committee chair.
In particular, when firms face difficulties during customs procedures or when unethical activity by customs personnel needs to be reported, the SRC thinks this effort will offer the quickest feedback channel.
The SRC claims that using a simple application form that enables people to stay anonymous if they so choose will just take a few minutes to file a complaint. The “red button”‘s primary objective is to promptly resolve problems during the customs clearance procedure.
The committee has promised that any complaint submitted via this new procedure would be addressed with the appropriate action.
This program is a component of a larger plan to raise the standard of public services provided by the customs industry.
According to the SRC, the system is intended not only for complaints but also for locating particular instances that may shed light on the real circumstances that companies encounter at customs.
By stressing that only positive criticism can result in changes to current procedures and improve confidence between companies and customs authorities, the SRC is urging all persons and businesses who are having problems during customs procedures to make active use of this new tool.
In the meanwhile, Bexley Council has opened its 2025 Customer Experience Survey and asked service users to provide input.
This survey comes after the launch of Bexley’s Customer Experience Strategy in May 2024, which included three major commitments to its clients: to give clear information about services and access, to be open and honest about the services and prices that are offered, and to direct people to appropriate support in the event that the council is unable to help.
Over 630 comments from citizens, companies, and employees were received during the borough-wide survey last year, demonstrating the community’s involvement in forming local services.
The council’s dedication to putting the people, businesses, and communities of Bexley at the centre of its operations was underlined by Councillor David Leaf, the deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for resources.
He stated,
“We are committed to putting Bexley’s residents, businesses, and communities at the heart of everything we do. Our customer experience strategy was developed by engaging with those who use our services, and we want to continue listening and learning so we can make Bexley even better.”
The purpose of the 2025 survey is to assist the council in tracking its progress in relation to the promises made in the Customer Experience Strategy and to provide guidance for upcoming enhancements to local services. There will be plenty of time for feedback as it will be open until June 12, 2025.
Initiatives from the Bexley Council and the SRC both follow a growing trend in public institutions to place a higher priority on responsiveness and citizen participation.
In the end, these groups hope to improve the overall experience for public service consumers by fostering a culture of accountability and openness through the use of tools that allow for direct input.
For those needing assistance in completing the survey, printed copies will be made available at local libraries, and alternative formats can be provided upon request. Councillor Leaf further noted,
“With new technologies coming forward, including greater use of digital and AI communications, we want to make sure our approach is modern, effective, and ensures that everyone, regardless of their circumstances and needs, can access our services and have a good experience when contacting the council.”
It will be intriguing to see how the integration of technology and feedback systems affects the interaction between citizens and governmental institutions as these efforts develop.
Bexley’s Customer Experience Survey and the SRC’s QR code system are important advances in modernizing public service interactions, which could result in better service delivery and more efficient government.
How does the CIL charging schedule affect residential developments in Croydon?
The borough is divided into zones with varying tariffs according to Croydon‘s CIL billing structure. In order to account for viability issues in high-density, tower-style buildings, residential developments outside of the Croydon Metropolitan Centre (CMC) are charged £120 per square metre of new floor space, whereas within the CMC, the tariff is set at £0 per square metre. Developments of residential institutions, such as assisted living facilities, are free.
CIL is applicable to new residential developments that include the building of one or more new homes or that add at least 100 square meters of net additional interior floor space.
Following viability studies, the charging schedule was established to strike a compromise between the requirement for infrastructure spending and the development’s economic viability.