Chance to comment on Shropshire Council customer service hours cut

The authority says it wants to keep the services open five-days-a-week, but needs to reduce opening hours to meet demand and save on costs.

There are customer service points in Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Bridgnorth, which allow people to access and get help with many council services.

The council's proposal would see hours at Bridgnorth and Ludlow reduced by 10 a week, Market Drayton six-and-a-half, Oswestry five, and Shrewsbury five-and-a-half. Meanwhile, hours at Whitchurch would stay the same.

The council said changes are being looked at because the use of the facilities has fallen by more than half in the past five years.

Councillor Michael Wood, cabinet member for corporate support, said: "The number of customers calling in to see us has reduced by more than half over the last few years, but we've kept the opening hours of our offices unchanged.

"This consultation isn't about closing our offices. It's about matching the hours that our staff are available at these offices to the changing demand, and to make sure that we spend enough time with those who need our help. This would mean that we could to use our resources more cost effectively, meeting the needs of local people and at the same time using any efficiencies elsewhere.

"We do have a preferred option that we feel would work, but we'll listen to and consider any other proposals or suggestions that are made through this consultation period.

"Our preferred proposal for the future delivery of customer services at the offices named would be to continue to run the service for five-days-a-week so that customers who are in need can still access crisis payments and services throughout the working week, for customer service staff to be available to help customers each day, but for a shorter day than now."

Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow, warned that the cutbacks could affect older people. He said: "Residents are changing the way that we interact with customer services. We do more online. But I am concerned that cuts to hours could mean that some people won't get the attention they need."

The consultation will run until October 7. Visit www.new.shropshire.gov.uk