The council has announced what face-to-face services will look like in some areas in the new year. 

Buckinghamshire Council revealed the roadmap for future services in Chesham and Amersham in the new year.

Council services in the area will undergo major changes in the early new year, including the phased-out closure of King George V House offices in Amersham, new ‘council access points’ and the relocation of council staff.

Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for accessible housing and resources John Chilver said: “This plan meets many aims so I’m really pleased to be in a position to confirm the details.

"We know that while it’s quicker and easier for most people to contact the council online, that to some people it’s really important to have that face-to-face interaction, so I’m pleased that we will be providing those face-to-face contact points in Chesham and Amersham, funded entirely by the money saved by closing the King George V building.

 “It means we continue to have that customer presence in both Amersham and Chesham plus we are delivering significant savings for the council taxpayer by closing the Amersham office. Office-based staff at the council now combine home working with a minimum of two days in the office so we want to make sure we’re making the best use of the office space we provide - and maximising value for money - now working habits have changed since the pandemic.

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 “This has been a long-term goal as part of the financial savings made by becoming a single unitary council. Rationalising our office estate has been an important part of that savings programme.”

What the changes mean for residents?

 

Council leader Martin Tett said the plan was a “significant change." 

New ‘council access points’ will open in Amersham and Chesham from January following the gradual closure of King George V offices, the council’s cabinet confirmed on Tuesday, December 12.

Staff at the council access points in Chesham and Amersham can answer general queries about council services and help residents to report, pay for or apply for a council service using the computer on site.

Chesham Library is being refurbished to upgrade the library space as part of the new plan to house 18 desks, staff facilities and confidential meeting rooms.  

The current council access point at King George V House, Amersham, is set to move to the newer Amersham Library located just across the road in the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre.

Council staff previously based at King George V House will move to an office space in High Wycombe on Queen Victoria Road, with a “touchdown” point at Chesham.

First phase of the King George V House closure will start on January 12, with the second phase planned when the Chesham Library refurbishment is complete but no later than June next year.  

Data shows the Amersham office has the lowest staff occupancy rate at just 16 percent but it is the second highest for carbon emissions of all council buildings, councillor Chilver said.

Residents can access in-person services continuously during the changes.