"Cash offices closures cut people off" - Jeffery

3.29.30pm GMT Wed 20th Feb 2008

Councillor Owen Jeffery has this week expressed concerns that proposals to close Council cash offices in both Thatcham and Hungerford will make life difficult for local people wanting to use Council services.

"This is a backward move, bringing Council cash services back to Newbury", commented Councillor Jeffery. "It goes against greener policies of the Council as we are removing the local provision of some Council services at the very time that we are meant to be reducing unnecessary journeys. I am also concerned about the money being wasted where a cash office was built into the brand new Hungerford library, which is now to be closed almost as soon as it has been opened.

Thatcham Liberal Democrat Members have been pressing for the Thatcham cash office to be brought up to standards set down by disability legislation. I am disappointed that the Conservatives have typically shied away from doing this, preferring instead to close the office completely!"