Are You Being Served?

11.00.00am GMT Mon 3rd Jan 2005

Another Liberal Democrat manifesto pledge will be delivered in the spring of 2005, when Milton Keynes Council will enhance its customer service with the opening of Milton Keynes Direct.

This state-of-the-art facility will offer new ways for the people of Milton Keynes to talk to the Council, to use the Council's services or just to keep the Council updated on their circumstances.

Isobel Wilson, Leader of the Council, sees this as a major breakthrough for the organisation. She said: "Milton Keynes Direct represents very visible results of our partnership with Hyder Business Services (HBS). Since signing this partnership last Christmas we have seen considerable changes throughout the organisation. This new facility represents the new face of the council - more accessible, more open and more customer-focused."

Since the beginning of December, work has been under way to develop a completely new layout for the ground floor of the Civic Offices. By April there will be new reception arrangements, with ten dedicated 'transaction points' for customers to access council services, as well as new relocated cashiers' facilities.

Initially, Milton Keynes Direct will provide a range of different ways to talk to the Council - in writing, face-to-face, by telephone, Internet or email. Through the adoption of new technology a range of council transactions can now be handled entirely over the web, but we appreciate that many people still want to make personal contact.

Gillian Johnson, Partnership Director for HBS, added: "This has been a great demonstration of the strong relationship and alignment between HBS and Milton Keynes Council to deliver the Council's vision of making it easier for the public to access Milton Keynes services. I am delighted that we have been able to provide the support to make this happen."