Service Centres Not Closing
A Council decision to contract out financial transactions such as taking rates payments will offer residents more options for making payments, and will not lead to the closure of any service centres, says Stephen Hill, the Council’s General Manager of Public Affairs.
“All existing service centres will remain in place, and people wanting to pay their rates, dog licensing or other Council accounts will be able to do so at any of 28 NZ Post shops in Christchurch or others in surrounding districts.”
Councillors considered this change at a meeting on 12 June as part of its decision-making on the 2006-16 long-term community plan. At the time, staff provided a report of what the change was likely to mean.
However, while details of changes have yet to be finalised, it was indicated that financial transactions capacity would no longer be available at suburban service centres except for consents receipting at Sockburn and Linwood. All general information, reception, bookings and other tasks would continue to be provided at the Council’s six city suburban service centres.
There would be no change in the level of service provided by Libraries, Community Engagement, Environmental Policy and Approvals, Community Board Support, Recreation and Sport, Greenspace and other existing functions currently located in service centres.
As well, there would be no change in the level of service at the Tuam Street offices, which would continue to operate as a one-stop shop for all financial and non-financial transactions. Finally, there would be no change in the level of service at the Lyttelton, Akaroa, and Little River service centres.
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