Protest against closure of cash offices in Kirklees

May 4 2009 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PROTESTERS will demonstrate tomorrow against the controversial closure of council cash offices.

Union members from Unison will be outside offices in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton and Batley.

They are collecting signatures against the move and urged members of the public to join in the demonstration.

Earlier this month Kirklees Council announced plans to close the cash office in Huddersfield, in the Civic Centre 1 building, which has dealt with 43,000 transactions in 2008-09. Other offices could also be hit.

The cash offices allow residents to pay council tax and rent by cheque or cash over the counter and to get advice on payment.

The eight staffed counters will be replaced by automated kiosks next door at the Kirklees Information Point.

Unison spokesman Mick Ryan said: “The council does not understand that people cannot afford to pay bank charges.