Issue - meetings

·       To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

The Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet item:

Proposed Service Model for Civic Centre Customer Services and Cash Desks

Members were provided with an overview of the Neath Port Talbot Council’s proposed service model for Customer Services and the Cash Desks for when the buildings reopen to the public.

The Chief Digital Officer highlighted that the Civic Centres had been closed since the start of the pandemic, which came with a large shift to the way in which Council Services operated and were provided; the Council had more of an online presence, and received a large uptake of the services that were provided online. It was noted that Welsh Government restrictions had started to ease, and the Council was now in a position to start considering how the Civic Centres could be re-opened to the public.

The Committee was informed that the model set out the proposed operation of Customers Services going forward in terms of face-to-face enquiries, as well as plans to improve some of the digital services within the Customer Services areas; this will allow members of the public, who did not have the suitable technology at home, to access some of the Councils online services.

It was stated that there were plans to start re-opening Civic Centres to the public, in April 2022; this will be aligned to Welsh Government restrictions and guidelines, and the appropriate risk assessments will be undertaken. 

Members raised concerns in relation to the closure of the cash desks, highlighting that it may discourage members of the public from visiting the Civic Centres, as well as potentially having an effect on the footfall of town centres. Members added that some face to face services were vital, and should remain as part of the service model. Officers explained that the cash desks had been closed for around two years, and the Council had put alternative methods of provision in place; for example, residents could use their local post offices in own centres and their local communities to pay their bills. It was noted that when re-opening the buildings, Officers had to be mindful of the fact that whilst there would be no restrictions in place, the buildings still needed to operate on a risk assessed basis.

The Committee was informed that there would be various phases to re-opening the buildings; this was the first phase of re-opening for the interim. It was mentioned that Officers could monitor the impact and demand for the cash desks in this phase; and if the demand was there, Officers would think about how they could be re-established.

Members put forward that it would be more beneficial to re-establish the cash desk service in the first phase of the re-opening of the buildings, as this would allow the Team to gather the information and data required to monitor the use and to inform future decisions.

In relation to general enquiries, the circulated report stated that customers will be sign posted to the contact channels available for the relevant service areas;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2