On 14th July 2010 CBC issued a press release entitled "Customer Services set for overhaul."
This press release followed a document, named “Remodelling of Customer Services” dated 13th July 2010, which was presented to the Executive.
This talks about “Community Hubs” and says:
“ Initially, we will develop business cases with the Department of Work and Pensions for the co-location of the existing Job Centres with our Customer Service Centres at Biggleswade, Dunstable, and Leighton Buzzard.”
Biggleswade Town Council have been preparing for CBC giving up their lease and vacating the front part of Town Council Offices. At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 22nd February 2011 costings were provided for the Town Council's move to the front of the building. They intend to take up occupancy 21st / 22nd March. At the meeting there was an element of panic and grabbing of diaries, when someone mentioned there was a Council meeting on Tuesday 22nd March. The moves will not affect the Council Chamber.
Costs involved in the move:
Phone System £234 +VAT; Computers, server, telephone lines & supervising BT move £600 + VAT; internal move of furniture £492 inc VAT.
Costs to enable lease of the rear of the building:
Complete lease £900; Install alarm activation / deactivation to rear door £400 - £800 +VAT.
It was said at the Council meeting that CBC intend to move on 18th March 2011, but Mayor Councillor Mrs Wendy Smith said that apart from being told that some time ago they had heard nothing else.
I emailed CBC and have received this reply from their Customer Services Team Manager:
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the intended move of the Central Bedfordshire Customer Service Centre currently based at Saffron Road Biggleswade.
Our intention is to move the operation just prior to the 22/3, keeping the level of service disruption to a minimum for visitors looking for help and advice, while telephones and computers are disconnected and reconnected at our new base.
The Customer Service Desk will be moving in to Job Centre Plus in Biggleswade, 78 The High Street, Biggleswade.
Have these tasks been three-way quoted as they appear to be extortionate?
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