COUNCIL staff are to open their new Huddersfield Customer Service Centre next week.
The centre, currently located at Civic Centre 1 will be moving to Civic Centre 3 on Monday.
Work has been going on for months to build the new centre.
Kirklees says people will benefit from improved services and better access in a welcoming, bright and modern environment.
The new location is on Market Street, opposite the bus station and next to Jobcentre Plus.
Customers will be able to access a wider range of the most popular council services including information and advice on housing benefit and council tax reduction, housing and benefits advice, Gateway to Care, Blue Badge applications, school admissions, planning, licensing and payments.
Customers will also be able to contact council services for free using the internet and phone.
A council spokesman said: “The new centre will be a major hub of information and will offer customers self-help and dedicated access channels to complete their transactions quickly and easily in one convenient location.
“The open-plan layout combined with the latest technologies will allow the dedicated staff team to deliver an improved customer experience which will include a queue management system and greater access to online services.”
Clr Shabir Pandor, Kirklees Council Joint Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “We are delighted to be opening this bright, modern and welcoming facility for customers, where they can access a range of important services, information and advice from our friendly and expert staff.
“This new centre will enable us to provide services using a whole range of modern technology that is geared to our citizens.
“Consolidating services will help us become even more efficient in the way in which we interact with local residents at a time when we must save around £80m due to cuts in Government funding.”
The centre’s opening hours will be Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 5pm; Thursday 10am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 5pm. There will be no disruption of service to customers as the existing centre will be open until 5pm today.
The contact details for the centre will remain the same. Phone 01484 221000 or email:
customer.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk
