One stop shop chatteris

THE one-stop shop in Chatteris will be closed and replaced with a new “all-in-one” community hub at Chatteris library.

Fenland District Council’s Fenland @ your service shop has provided residents with a wide range of services including information on council tax, benefits, bus passes and pest control.

The Chatteris Community Hub will bring together the existing county council services provided at the town’s library and those currently available at the Fenland @ your service shop.

The hub will be considered by FDC’s cabinet next Thursday and, if approved, may be open by the summer.

Fenland District Council’s services would be available five days a week instead of the current four, with staff on hand for an extra three hours a week.

Councillor Alan Melton, FDC’s Leader, said: “This is an exciting and ground-breaking scheme - the first of its kind in the county.

“At the moment people seeking to access district and county council services have to go to two separate places on different days at different times.

“By merging our existing one-stop shop and the library we are planning to deliver an integrated service in one convenient, town-centre location.

“All the services currently provided at our one-stop shop will still be provided and will be available for more hours each week. The hub will continue to offer excellent face-to-face help with a huge range of customer enquiries as well as providing facilities enabling residents to pay for Fenland services such as Council Tax.

“Roddons tenants will also still be able to make rent payments there.”

Current proposals are for the hub to be open 27 hours each week, with the library’s current opening hours.

Both councils’ services would be available during these times.

Extended opening hours could be offered at a later stage.