Archived press release

Date Published: 13/10/06

AVDC’s cabinet has agreed the first move which could see the council’s Winslow area office relocate to new premises. The cabinet has authorised officers to begin exploratory talks with Buckinghamshire County Council on the possible re...

AVDC’s cabinet has agreed the first move which could see the council’s Winslow area office relocate to new premises.

The cabinet has authorised officers to begin exploratory talks with Buckinghamshire County Council on the possible relocation of the information point from its current premises in the High Street to a new home at Winslow Library.

The proposed facility would give Winslow residents access to everything from council services to services aimed at the education and health needs of the community, including library services, adult education classes and sports facilities.

Customers using the current area office are able to get advice on things like benefits, refuse collections and recycling, as well as pay bills and view planning applications. Relocating to Winslow Library would enable the council to greatly enhance the service it offers residents.

The future of the Winslow office has been the subject of considerable debate and speculation over the past few years. In 2005 the council considered closing the office due to budgetary pressures, but decided to delay the decision to allow councillors to undertake a detailed review of the facility.

As part of this review, the council appointed an independent research company to consult existing customers and people who don’t use the facility.  More than 270 people responded to the consultation which was conducted last summer.

Residents were asked for their opinions on improvements that could be made, alternative sites for the facility and whether it should be closed. The majority of customers who replied were very satisfied with the range of services provided and wanted the facility to remain in Winslow.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “The needs of the local community have been our number one priority in considering the future of the Winslow office. We are committed to providing the best service to our residents and a new facility would enable us to do that.

“We aim to provide a central focal point where people can go to access services that look after everything from their health and well-being, to housing, welfare and educational needs. A new facility at Winslow Library would enable people to do everything from paying their council tax, borrowing a library book, finding a home, joining a course or getting benefits advice.”

A detailed report on the relocation of the Winslow area office will be presented to the cabinet at a later date, once formal discussions have been completed with Buckinghamshire County Council. The council will also be consulting existing users of the current area office, including Winslow Town Council.

Plans to improve service provision in Aylesbury Vale are already moving forward with the opening of a new one-stop-shop in Buckingham next January. The Cornwall Place area office will close and move to a new building called the Buckingham Centre in Verney Close. The facility will house a customer service centre, the newly refurbished library and an adult learning centre.

The Winslow area office is open Mondays and Wednesdays each week from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm. For further information about the services provided by the area office, visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or call 01296 712131.