A new South Gloucestershire Council app has been launched, making it easier for residents to access council services from their smartphone or tablet.
As well as checking waste and recycling collection dates, residents will be able to add their address to the app and sign up for push notifications to get weekly reminders of what bins and boxes to put out and when. There is also a handy tool allowing you to search by product to see if something can be recycled and which container to put it in. Or you can book a slot via the app to take things to the Sort It recycling centre.
The app can also be used to find out about planning applications nearby, review the plans and submit responses. Other localised information includes finding your nearest park, library or public toilet and other facilities in your area and view them on a map.
Users will be able to report things like potholes and flooded roads, apply for support including community meals and telecare devices, and people who have or set up a customer account, will be able to manage their council tax online. You will be able to search and contact your local councillor and read the latest council news.
The council will be adding new features over the coming months, including another way for residents to easily have their say on consultations, for example.
South Gloucestershire Council Leader, Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, said: “We’re really excited to introduce our new council app. From bin collection reminders to checking food hygiene ratings for nearby restaurants, the app makes it easier than ever to stay informed and connected to the council.
“The opportunity to develop it came from the new and improved waste contract. We know that residents contact us with questions about waste collections more than almost anything else, so it’s a helpful place to start, but we want to build from that and make it a first port of call for local people who need council information or to get in touch.
“The app doesn’t replace our telephone contact centre, one stop shops or website, but we recognise that for many, apps are their preferred way of interacting, particularly for simple things, where they’re looking for information in one place or to make a simple report.
“There is some work to do to make all our existing forms and systems work seamlessly via the app, but we are working on adding new features in the background and will roll them out as soon as we can.
“I would encourage everyone with a smartphone or tablet, living in South Gloucestershire, to download the app and see how it can make their lives a little bit more straightforward.”
Other local authorities are beginning to introduce apps as a way of improving interactivity with residents. North Somerset launched theirs a few months ago and East Devon council has had a similar app for the past 18 months with thousands of local residents downloading and using the app every day. Over time they have added a range of information and functionality to it, and seen customer satisfaction improve as residents have found accessing information and contacting the council become even easier.
The free South Gloucestershire Council app is available to download from the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store for Android phone users.
