The hours of operation at Tendring District Council's (TDC) Weeley collection office are to be reduced to meet the decreasing demand for the service.

The Council has provided the facility at its offices in the village every week day from 9am to 1pm.

However, from Monday April 6, 2009, the collection office will open from 9am to 1pm on Mondays and Thursdays only.

Where there is a Bank Holiday on the Monday it will operate the next day instead.

Cllr Lawrie Payne, TDC's Portfolio Holder for Benefits and Revenues, said his Service had been looking at the situation and a decision had been made that five days were no longer required.

"The demand for the collection office in Weeley has been diminishing over a period of time and we are now going to match the hours to meet the demand," he said.

There will be no staff redundancies as a result of this change.

The collection office at Weeley deals with payments and enquiries related to Council services.

Customers are now able to use the new and improved internet and telephone payments system. This can be accessed via the Pay For It page or by telephoning 0800 678 3046 (calls from a BT landline are free of charge).

The changes will not affect the Council's Planning reception desk at the Weeley Offices which will continue to operate its current business hours.

You can download a leaflet about the changes, including useful telephone numbers and other ways to contact us (pdf).

20/3/09