In just over three weeks time the Torbay Council Connections service will be centralised to one office and from Monday 8 August 2016 will only be operating from Paignton Library and Information Centre.

Torquay and Brixham Connections offices will be closing their doors at 5 pm on Friday 5 August.

A report to full Council in May identified that Paignton Library and Information Centre is ideally located for the council’s Connections service as the transport links are good, with the bus station, train station and parking available close by. Council also agreed that by basing a Connections office in the same centre as the library and other services, this continues to support the concept of Paignton Library and Information Centre becoming a Community hub for residents.

Cllr Richard Haddock, Executive Lead for Business Services, said: “The feedback we received during the consultation was in the main positive and supportive to having the main Connections office based in the Paignton Library and Information Centre. By having these services available at the Information Centre it will build on the existing services that are already available to our residents and they will be able to access a range of services delivered by us and our partners.

“We are having to continually streamline and improve our services using our already heavily reduced budget, which is why we are looking at everything to see how we can deliver our services more efficiently and effectively. The impact of this closure will be monitored, and if needed the services provided in the Torquay and Brixham Libraries will be amended.”

Residents who usually visit the Torquay and Brixham offices, and who cannot travel to Paignton Connections, will still be able to contact Torbay Council in a number of different ways. These include online, using the council’s website, or by telephone. Free phones will also be available in Torquay and Brixham Libraries to enable residents to contact council services.

For customers who are required to submit supporting evidence and information, but are unable to travel to Paignton, secure document boxes will be in place, again in Torquay and Brixham Libraries. The documents will then by returned to customers by post.

A pre-booked appointment service will also be available for customers who are unable to resolve their enquiry over the phone or online. These appointments will be with a member of the Connections team within Brixham and Torquay Library on one day per week.

Torbay Council can be contacted by:
• Website – www.torbay.gov.uk

• Telephone :
o Housing Options – 01803 208723
o Housing Benefits & Council Tax Support – 01803 207201
o Council Tax – 01803 207201
o Business Rates – 01803 207201
o Community Safety – 01803 208025
o Electoral Services- 01803 208008
o Crisis Support – 0800 9176832 (Free phone)
o Parking – 01803 207695
o Main Switchboard – 01803 201201

The Connections office within Paignton Library and Information Centre will be open Monday to Friday from 9 am until 5 pm.