'Bin Man' Makes Finals

A customer friendly waste collector and the council he works for have made the finals of a major national award.

Waste collector Bryan Moylan, 41, and Torfaen County Borough Council's Technical Services and Performance department have been shortlisted for National Customer Service Awards.

Bryan, who is a finalist for the frontline professional of the year award, and officers from Technical Services and Performance, which has been shortlisted for Customer Service Team of the Year, will now give presentations to a panel of judges.

These will help determine the overall winners which will be announced at a presentation in London on December 9.

Bryan, who earlier this year became the first waste collector in the UK to achieve a top customer service accolade by becoming a Practitioner Member of the Institute of Customer Service, said: "I'm overwhelmed to be shortlisted - it's the best feeling. It has taken all weekend for it to sink in."

The Technical Services and Performance department, which is responsible for waste, recycling, highways maintenance, grass cutting, litter picking and complaints monitoring, is in a shortlist of eight.

Christina Harrhy, Head of Technical Services and Performance, said she was delighted to be shortlisted for the second year running.

"It is a fantastic achievement," she said. "We came so close last year so we're keeping our fingers crossed this time.

"I'm proud of my team for the way they listen to and work with local residents to provide outstanding customer service."

The National Customer Service awards recognise excellence in the way an organisation and individuals deal with their customers.