Warwickshire News Mine

A number of similar centres, providing joint access to district and county council services, have already successfully opened their doors to the public in other parts of Warwickshire.

‘Warwickshire Direct’ will provide people with a single point of access to local information, advice and other key services, together on one site in a convenient town centre location, enabling residents to have their queries answered straight away.

Councillor Norman Pratt, Portfolio Holder for Customer Services, Warwick District Council, said: “There’s no need for residents to worry about which council provides which service. We’ll be able to answer your query at the first point of contact."

The new centre includes dedicated customer service desks, private areas where people can discuss matters confidentially and computer terminals that people can use to find out information themselves.

People will be able to access a whole host of services at the centre, from enquiring about their council tax and housing benefit to applying for a disabled parking blue badge or asking about free school meals. A team of friendly customer service advisors have been extensively trained to answer people’s enquiries on a whole range of matters.

Councillor Peter Fowler, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Performance and Development, said: “The aim is to bring a range of services, including county and district council services, closer to people in Warwick and I am sure that the ‘Warwickshire Direct’ one stop shop will achieve that. It will be a fantastic facility for local residents.”

The development of ‘Warwickshire Direct’, a joint initiative between Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council, is part of both councils’ commitment to improving customer service and access to its services.
An internal courtyard area of Shire Hall has been in-filled and the old reception area extended to create space for the new ‘Warwickshire Direct’ centre, which will revolutionise the way people in Warwick access local information and services from both the county and district council.

‘Warwickshire Direct’ is the latest phase of an exciting project involving Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council. It follows the success of ‘Warwickshire Direct – Kenilworth’, a similar centre that has benefited thousands of residents in Kenilworth since it opened in October 2005.

‘Warwickshire Direct – Whitnash’, another joint venture involving the county and district council in collaboration with Whitnash Town Council and Warwickshire Police’s local Safer Neighbourhoods team, was officially opened in December last year on the premises of Whitnash Library.

It also follows the success of other ‘Warwickshire Direct’ centres around the county in locations including Atherstone, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Southam.

Councillor Norman Pratt, Warwick District Council, continued:  “The one stop shop at Shire Hall, Warwick will make accessing council services easier for yet another community in Warwick district. Working in partnership with the public and voluntary sectors, one stop shops will be available in other parts of the district.”

Warwickshire County Council has also signed an agreement with Warwick Post Office for them to relocate into Shire Hall alongside the ‘Warwickshire Direct’ centre.

Commenting on the relocation of Warwick Post Office to Shire Hall, Post Office Manager and Postmistress, Paul and Bala Jaspal, said: “We are looking forward to our partnership with Warwickshire County Council in the ‘Warwickshire Direct’ one stop shop. The new Warwick Post Office is going to be a bright new commercial outlet for staff and customers alike.

“We’d like to thank the county council for letting us be part of this exciting project, especially as this is the first one in the county. Through this arrangement, we have secured the life of the Post Office in Warwick.

“The Warwick public can be assured that their Post Office is here to stay, providing them with much brighter, better services in a professional environment. Every service currently on offer will be retained or enhanced. Until the move takes place, it will be ‘business as usual’ at our current location.”

Councillor Peter Fowler, Warwickshire County Council, continued: “With the opening of the new ‘Warwickshire Direct’ one stop shop at Shire Hall, which will bring both county and district council services together in the town centre, it makes perfect sense that the post office, which is also offering a vital service to the community, is located alongside it.”

From Monday 21st April, ‘Warwickshire Direct’ will be open to the public:
Monday 08:00 – 17:30
Tuesday 08:00 – 17:30
Wednesday 08:00 – 17:30
Thursday 08:00 – 17:30
Friday 08:00 – 17:00
Saturday 09:00 – 16:00
Sunday Closed

Link to WCC