A Yorkshire Dales council is celebrating after its customer service has been nominated as one of four finalists in the Annual National Performance Awards run by the Institute of Rating Revenues and Valuation (IRRV).

Awards showcase excellence in public
service
Craven District Council, buoyed by the successful transformation of the Skipton Town Hall reception area and improvements in customer service the Council's Customer and Benefit Services department submitted an entry into the category of 'Excellence in Customer Care'.
Their submission was then successfully shortlisted for an Inspection Team visit in August with an announcement that the Council had made the final following shortly after.
In reaching the final the IRRV have said that Craven District Council have been able to demonstrate excellence in the area of customer service and there is evidence of high levels of customer satisfaction.

I also hope that in reaching a national final we have in some small way put the name of 'Craven' on the national local government
map
Paul Ellis - Craven District Council
The Council's Head of Customer and Benefit Services, Paul Ellis is delighted with the news and paid tribute to the staff: "This is well deserved recognition for the months of hard work put in by all the staff in Customer and Benefit Services to significantly improve customer service.
"I also hope that in reaching a national final we have in some small way put the name of 'Craven' on the national local government map."
The final is being held in Brighton in October where the overall winner will be announced by Sir Trevor McDonald. Joining Craven in the final are Amber Valley, Kirklees and Southwark London Borough Council's.
For more information on the awards visit www.irrv.net/awards2006.asp