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Cost-cutting closes Peak council's HQ
HIGH Peak Borough Council is to close their offices in Chinley in a bid to cut costs and improve services.
The decision was taken by the Council's Executive after councillors heard that the annual cost of running three sites was more than 340,000 and that the authority was facing a maintenance backlog bill of 1.2m.
Staff currently based at Chinley would be moved to a refurbished Buxton Town Hall.
Subject to extensive public consultation and discussions with potential partners, the Council working with Derbyshire County Council and High Peak Community Housing would look to develop two modern one-stop shops offering a wide range of public services under one roof.
The emphasis would be on dealing with the customer's enquiry at first time of asking and offering Internet access to enable customers to self-serve if they wish.
Cllr Emily Thrane, Executive Councillor for Corporate Services, said: "The main aims of Customer First are to improve access to public services, work efficiently with our partners and reduce costs to our residents."
Council Leader Tony Ashton told the Advertiser that with the council chamber set be lost, there was scope for meetings such as Development Control and Full Council to be held at various locations in the central area, which have easier access by public transport.
The Register Office at Chinley would also go and work is now underway to find alternative venues with New Mills and Chapel Town Halls a possibility.
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
