RESIDENTS across Basingstoke and Deane will still be able to access a selection of council services online over the festive period.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s civic offices will be closed from 2pm today and will not reopen until 8.30am on Friday, January 2.

However the borough council is reminding residents that they will still be able to pay their council tax or pay for a parking ticket, apply for planning permission, join the housing register or apply for jobs and report a missed bin collection, fly-tipping or graffiti.

The council website is currently being revamped to make it easier for residents to access services online and find information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The changes, which are expected to go live in February, are aimed at making the website clearer and simple to navigate, with less ‘clicks’ to get to the right page.

To new site will also automatically resize for smart phone and tablet users making it easier to use on the move and will present information in more dynamic ways, such as newsfeed-type ticker tapes, videos and focus features, as well as linking to social media.

Cabinet member for community services and the environment, Councillor Hayley Eachus, said: “So many people are doing their Christmas shopping, booking their holidays, paying their bills or checking their bank balance at a time and place that is more convenient to them, so it is only right that the council offers services online too, where it is appropriate.

“Providing services through the website is not only more convenient for web-friendly residents, it also saves money and helps us to keep council tax bills down.”

To access council services online, visit basingstoke.gov.uk.