Warwickshire News Mine

Building work to create the new one stop shop, known as ‘Warwickshire Direct – North Warwickshire’, started in the former reception area of North Warwickshire Borough Council in January.

The radical overhaul has created a light and airy open plan area with better access for disabled people, improved waiting areas and private interview rooms.

The Self Service area provides four computer terminals for people to access County Council and Borough information online.

Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Council, Jim Graham, said: "We are particularly pleased with this exciting joint venture, which is designed to make our local services more accessible to the public.

"We are working closely with our colleagues in the Borough to develop our joint working so that the public can get a better quality of access to our services. This is about serving local people in the best way we can.

"We are looking to take this new development and build it around the rest of the county so as many residents as possible can take advantage of this new way of working.“

Visitors to the new look reception can now enquire about both Borough and County Council services. 

Customer Services staff will not only be answering enquiries about Borough services such as Council Tax or housing repairs but also County services such as Blue Badges and free school meals.

The Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths will also be based in the one stop shop and the first marriage ceremony at the Council offices is already planned for 7th July.

Jerry Hutchinson, Chief Executive of North Warwickshire Borough Council said: “The transformation of our former reception area into this ‘One Stop Shop’ for North Warwickshire has been impressive and I must thank everyone involved for getting the project completed on time. 

"The individual reception areas we had for Housing and Planning have now been brought together under one roof which will make it far easier to access our services. 

"We now need to look at various ways of taking services out beyond Atherstone to reach our residents who live in the more remote, rural areas.“

In a unique development for North Warwickshire, NHS Warwickshire has decided to base its ‘Wellness Centre’ at the one stop shop. 

Amongst the services on offer are blood pressure and diabetes checks, weight management sessions and advice on stopping smoking. 

Also part of the service are monthly guided walks and literacy and numeracy classes. 

PCT Chief Executive, David Rose, welcomed this new approach: “Everyone connected with the One Stop Shop and the Wellness Centre has worked very hard to make the project a success and we are delighted that it is now ready for the people of North Warwickshire.

"This has been a really good example of partnership working. It’s important that the work now continues to ensure that more and more people in Warwickshire receive the help and support they need in order to enjoy healthier and longer lives.“

Other organisations such as the North Warwickshire Credit Union, the Council for Voluntary Service and the Police also hope to hold advice sessions in the one stop shop.

Details of these and the Wellness Matters timetable are available from the one stop shop or follow the link below.

Link to WCC