Mark Whitehead 02 August 2024

Union calls on Kirklees to reverse customer service centre closures

Union calls on Kirklees to reverse customer service centre closures image
Image: Alastair Wallace/shutterstock.com

Unison has called on Kirklees Council to reverse its 'disastrous' decision to close customer service centres.

The council announced in February that two centres in Huddersfield and Dewsbury would close and be integrated into Kirklees' libraries.

The union warned the move could have a negative impact on elderly and vulnerable residents.

The council said demand for the services had fallen and reassured residents they would still be able to access the support needed.

The decision to close the customer service centres comes as part of the council's cost-saving measures and could affect up to 40 jobs.

In February the authority said it needed to save more than £47m to avoid having to declare itself effectively bankrupt.

Dewsbury's customer services team had already moved into the town's library due to maintenance works at its original site.

Unison branch secretary Mick Donoghue told a council meeting of the negative impact the closures and service changes would have on domestic abuse victims and other vulnerable people.

A petition with more than 2,000 signatures has also been submitted calling on the council to reverse its decision.

A council spokesperson said it had observed an increase in people accessing services online since the pandemic.

'The new offer will mean customers can still be enabled to access the support they need – online or in person- but this will be from within the libraries staff team.'

Protecting our health image

Protecting our health

Oliver Norman, Regional Vice President for UK & Ireland, Veritas Technologies, looks at why data protection should be a priority for healthcare organisations.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Digital Inclusion Officer

Gloucestershire County Council
£49,498 - £51,515 per annum
The role will provide technical and specialist knowledge to the authority Shire Hall, Block 5, 5th Floor
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Digital Infrastructure Officer

Gloucestershire County Council
£49,498 - £51,515 per annum
The role will provide technical and specialist knowledge to the authority Shire Hall, Block 5, 5th Floor
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Road Safety Education Assistant (Casual)

Essex County Council
Up to £12.3800 per hour
Casual Road Safety Education AssistantUttlesford, Chelmsford, Braintree & Thurrock£12.38 per hour PAYEClosing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Income Maximisation Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£36,426 - £44,139 per annum
About the role Case Management - You will be responsible for managing a patch of rent accounts to proactively maximise income collection on current and former tenant accounts adhering to the Councils procedure to ensure maximum collection. Knowledge - Putney Bridge Road / Twickenham Civic Centre
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Homelessness Prevention Early Intervention Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£35,094 - £42,525 per annum
About the Team You will be joining the Richmond Homeless Prevention and Solutions Team, where you will play a key role in preventing homelessness and offering support to those in housing need. Your role will directly support the team’s mission to mi Twickenham
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.