Explaining trial closure (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Explaining trial closure

11:17am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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Sir.–Further to the coverage in last week’s Gazette, I thought that it might be helpful if I provided some more information on the trial closure of one of the two receptions at the Civic Offices.

Contrary to the impression that may have been given, the reasons for the trial closure have been explained to all councillors and I am happy to set out the main reasons for your readers.

I would like to emphasise that this is a trial for a period of five weeks. Due to staff shortages arising from illness, we have an opportunity to see whether we can operate one reception and thereby achieve some efficiency savings.

Like most organisations, the council has to consider savings options. These would enable the council to continue to set a low council tax (we have the seventh lowest of any district council in the country) but still continue to provide high quality services (as verified by our external auditors, the council continues to improve on its rating as excellent).

We have chosen temporarily to close the Deanes reception, which is used by fewer than 15 per cent of our regular frontline customers. The vast majority use the Parklands reception.

Most visitors to Deanes are for pre-booked meetings and events. Most Deanes visitors who arrive by car use the visitors’ car park, which is very close to the Parklands reception, and they are being signed to that reception first.

Regarding the evenings, we have only ever had one reception open, which is Deanes because that is the building where evening meetings are held. This has not changed under the temporary arrangements.

There have been some teething problems and we have received some complaints – but a purpose of a trial is to find out what works and what doesn’t. Certainly there have been issues with access for disabled visitors, but, as your report indicated, we are working with the Disability Forum to address its concerns.

–Tony Curtis, Chief executive, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.