Ripon’s recently developed Customer Service Centre at Ripon Town Hall has been formally opened by the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate (Cllr Michael Newby) and Mayor of the City of Ripon (Cllr Mick Stanley) today – Wednesday, 25 September 2013.
Ripon Town Hall is the first of a number of Customer Service Centres being set up by Harrogate Borough Council.
Chief Executive, Wallace Sampson, said:
Whilst the council has always had a housing office in the Town Hall, this is the first of a new approach to make it easier for customers to access a number of local authority services from a ‘one stop shop’ in the city.
As well as housing services, residents will be able to seek help with other issues such as planning, benefits, licensing and council tax.
They will also be able to pay bills on line from a kiosk located in the centre.
Another customer service centre is planned for Harrogate as part of the development of the new council accommodation and we also propose to open customer access points in Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Masham and Pateley Bridge.
Team Leader, Michelle Blackburn said:
The new customer services centre will offer a lot more convenience and people will no longer need to travel to Harrogate.
People can arrange appointment to discuss any problems they have with council tax, housing benefit and licensing.
We are offering extended opening hours, from 8:30 until 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 until 4:30pm on a Friday.
In the future the services offered may increase.
All contracts were let to companies in Yorkshire:-
- Mulbrand Ltd of Killinghall won the £46K contract to carry out building works to the Town Hall
- Carpeting has been supplied by Burmatex who are a major carpet manufacturer based in Osset, West Yorkshire since 1917 where the floor coverings are produced and have achieved an A+ BREEAM rating
- Office and reception furnishings have been supplied by AA Office Furniture based in Harrogate, with a majority of the furniture being manufactured in Skipton
- Graphics and signage have been designed and installed by De-sign Signs and Graphics Centre of Harrogate
