Post by Cllr Simon Tagg on Oct 3, 2009 12:39:52 GMT
Plans to bring services closer to Kidsgrove residents are now moving ahead.
The borough counciI is providing a customer service centre at Kidsgrove Town Hall following the success of a similar development at Newcastle's Guildhall.
The new facilities at Kidsgrove are due to open in spring 2010.
The development plan will mean that some services at the town hall will be affected after Friday, 30 October.
The revenues and benefits payments and enquiries office and the nearby Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) office will be temporarily closed while work goes on.
The current CAB office will be demolished and the service will relaunch with a new office inside the town hall in the spring.
Access to the town hall will also be severely restricted while the improvements are made although social events that have already been booked there will still go ahead.
“We have agreed a series of measures to help people who regularly use the Kidsgrove offices,” said borough council Leader Simon Tagg.
“Our revenues and benefits officers are writing to all customers who usually make payments at Kidsgrove to offer alternatives.
“These include switching to payment by direct debit, paying at the Guildhall or using a payment card at local shops.”
Officers will also work with Aspire Housing to ensure that alternative arrangements are made for residents who pay rent at the town hall.
A phone advice line for revenues and benefits customers will also be promoted in the Kidsgrove area.
Where necessary personal visits will be made to customers with particular needs.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused while work goes ahead but the centre we are developing will provide first class services for Kidsgrove residents," said borough council Head of Customer Services Jeanette Hilton.
The borough counciI is providing a customer service centre at Kidsgrove Town Hall following the success of a similar development at Newcastle's Guildhall.
The new facilities at Kidsgrove are due to open in spring 2010.
The development plan will mean that some services at the town hall will be affected after Friday, 30 October.
The revenues and benefits payments and enquiries office and the nearby Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) office will be temporarily closed while work goes on.
The current CAB office will be demolished and the service will relaunch with a new office inside the town hall in the spring.
Access to the town hall will also be severely restricted while the improvements are made although social events that have already been booked there will still go ahead.
“We have agreed a series of measures to help people who regularly use the Kidsgrove offices,” said borough council Leader Simon Tagg.
“Our revenues and benefits officers are writing to all customers who usually make payments at Kidsgrove to offer alternatives.
“These include switching to payment by direct debit, paying at the Guildhall or using a payment card at local shops.”
Officers will also work with Aspire Housing to ensure that alternative arrangements are made for residents who pay rent at the town hall.
A phone advice line for revenues and benefits customers will also be promoted in the Kidsgrove area.
Where necessary personal visits will be made to customers with particular needs.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused while work goes ahead but the centre we are developing will provide first class services for Kidsgrove residents," said borough council Head of Customer Services Jeanette Hilton.