Wednesday 19 December 2007

Brighton and Hove council shuts cash offices

A service which allows more than a 1,000 people each week to pay council bills in cash is to be cut.

The cashier offices at Priory House, Brighton, and Hove town hall handle payments for council tax, business rates, parking fines, some rents, insurance and various other debts.

Around 1300 people visit these two offices each week but the council is planning to shut the counters from next May to save £60,000 a year.

Three posts are at risk but one is covered by a temporary contract and the council hopes to find other jobs for the other two members of staff.

People would no longer be able to bring cash in person to make payments at either Priory House in Brighton's Bartholomew Square, or at Hove town hall - although they could still do this at district housing offices.

Andy Richards, who is leading the negotiations for Unison, said the service is most used by the elderly.

He added: "This doesn't say very much of the service ethos of the council.

"People will be disappointed that they are losing a local service and I think they should reconsider."

But a spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said the local authority had to find savings.

He said: "At the moment it's a proposal subject to consultation and only affects cash offices at Hove town hall and Priory House.

"Rent collection at district housing offices is not affected. Concessionary travel and revenue enquiries will continue to be administered at Priory House."

Closing the two cash offices will bring the council in line with eight out of the 13 Sussex councils which have ended in-person cash payments at main offices.

More than half of council tax payments are already made by direct debit.

The spokesman added: "We know that this facility is popular with its regulars however we have a duty to improve value for money for residents.

"Having our own cash offices is the most expensive way for us to receive cash when there are lots of other ways for residents to pay us, such as banks, post offices, paypoints, the internet, direct debit and through the post, all of which we will continue to process.

"These are increasingly preferred by customers and the change reflects this."

A report on this proposal will go to the council's policy and resources committee in February and if approved the changes will be implemented in early May.

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