New Somerset Council Customer Panel

If it was up to me I'd ... ...

It's disgraceful that they haven't ... ...

Somebody needs to do something about ... ...

Surely that's the council's responsibility?

Isn't it about time the council ... ...

I've no idea what these people do!

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Yes, we've all seen the comments on NextDoor, Facebook; whatever your social media poison, there's always a place to air your views and generally have a go.

But does it actually do any good? Do things change because you had a whinge with your friends in the pub last Friday?

I suspect not.

On 1st April 2023, Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton district councils and Somerset County Council will cease to exist and be replaced with a single unitary authority. Until then, the five existing councils will continue to provide services.

But in the meantime, the new Somerset Council has said it wants to provide the highest quality services that meet the needs of people living and working in the county. And they want you to help shape those services.

It is looking for more volunteers to join its Customer Panel. You can be a individual member of the public, represent a business, local interest group or service provider in order to join and provide feedback about Somerset Council and its services.

You will be asked to take part in research that will help the new council:

• Understand the needs and preferences of its customers
• Ensure its services are easy to access and use
• Identify how and where it can improve.

If you were worried that South Somerset's voice would be lost in the new larger authority, membership of the Customer Panel is one way you can try to ensure it is heard.

You can find more information about the Customer Panel and apply to by part of it by clicking here

They have asked for your opinion, so what are you waiting for?

Stop being a keyboard warrior venting your spleen anonymously on an on-line forum – get involved!

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More information on how to join and what's expected of you can be found at https://playbook.somerset.gov.uk/our-customer-panel/

You've nothing to lose by taking a look, and just might find you have something to offer.