Waveney District Council has today announced an exciting development for its customers in Lowestoft. The Council has completed the purchase of The Marina Centre in the town and this building will be used to house both staff and a new Customer Service Centre.

For the first time, Waveney will be able to provide a single point of contact in the centre of Lowestoft, driving forward its priority aim of improving customer access to information and services.

Councillor Simon Tobin, Portfolio Holder for Customer Service, Communications & ICT commented: “An excellent opportunity presented itself and I’m pleased that the Council has taken hold of it with both hands. The Marina Centre is the perfect location for us to provide easy access to Council services in the centre of Lowestoft. It truly demonstrates our commitment to improving customer services for the people of Waveney.”

An additional benefit of this move is that it will facilitate the relocation of officers currently working in accommodation that is reaching the end of its useful life.

Cllr Tobin continued: “It did not make economic sense to invest money in temporary accommodation that will not be part of the Council’s asset base in the future. We had hoped that certain areas would remain viable until the eventual move to the Campus in 2010, but this opportunity provided a more suitable interim solution.

“I am delighted that we are moving forward. The Council has made a positive and forward thinking decision for the benefit of its residents and staff.”

The project will cost in the region of £2.5 million and is being financed by the disposal of other council assets such as those being vacated. Plans are now being put in place for the moves, as part of a rolling programme over a two to three month period. Further announcements on the new centre’s opening date and the resulting changes to current service locations will be made as the project moves forward.

Experience gained during the operation of a pilot service in the Navigator Centre (in Lowestoft Library) will be used in the development of the new Customer Service Centre.

Bev Herring, Head of Customer Services at Waveney said: “There is limited space available in the library for us to stay there and achieve our long standing aim of providing access to all our services in one location. We are therefore pleased to have the opportunity to take what we have learned at the Navigator and develop our face to face service in this new centre.”

For the time being, service will still be provided from the following locations:

• Compass Street – Council Tax & Benefits
• Mariners Street – Planning & Environmental
• Town Hall – Cash & Payments Office
• Navigator Centre – General enquiries
• Navigator Centre – Housing services
• The Council’s centres in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Southwold

Customers are invited to call the Council on 01502 562111 or to email info@waveney.gov.uk if they would like clarification on which office to visit.