A FURIOUS councillor has hit out after County Hall chiefs slashed opening hours at his local housing office, saying they had treated him with discourtesy and contempt.
Amble unitary member Robert Arckless says there was no public consultation – even with elected members – on plans to downgrade the town's cash office, where residents are able to pay their council tax bills and council tenants their rent.
The offi
ce also acts as a front-line point of contact for householders who have queries, and usually operated all day from Monday to Friday.
But from next week, the office will only be open from Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 12.30pm, with four pay-points also available in Amble where council tax and rent bills can be dealt with.
The Amble Post Office, in Queen Street, and Harbour Post Office, in Percy Street, will also take payments.
Coun Arckless said: "I have been involved in discussions about this since before the council change over, and I asked for a meeting of interested parties, including the town council, development trust and Homes For Northumberland, as well as local members, about possible options.
"What really annoys me is that despite promises, no meeting was organised. Instead, I was told about these changes after the decision was taken. To put it mildly, I'm not impressed."
He added: "This was never just a cash office, it was a central point of contact. There has been a full-time front-line council office in Amble since 1894. How is anybody supposed to resolve a housing or council tax issue by talking to a pay-point?
"Not to consult the local councillor is discourteous in the extreme, and I feel that as an elected member I have been treated with contempt. If this is happening to those of us actually on the council, it doesn't bode well for the public."
But Coun Isabel Hunter, executive member for culture, said: "I am pleased that, despite severe financial constraints, we have been able to maintain the cash office service in Amble.
"There are many alternatives available for people to pay council bills and we will be promoting these as best we can, to ensure that residents are not too inconvenienced by these changes to opening hours."
The pay-points can be found at the Co-op stores on Queen Street and Newburgh Street, the Thresher store in Queen Street and V GB Stores in Links Avenue.
Payments can also be made via the county council's website at www.northumberland.gov.uk or by ringing 0845 600 6400 from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
