East Kent Services is working with Ramsgate Town Council to see what services it could provide when Thanet council closes its office in York Street.
At a Ramsgate residents’ meeting this month Jo Read, from EKS, said a review of the Ramsgate office revealed it was mostly used by people dropping off information for benefit claims or to get replacement red bags and recycling containers.
Ms Read said steps were being taken to make sure services were still accessible for people in Ramsgate without necessarily having to travel to the main office in Margate.
‘Difficult decisions’
She said: “We are having to look at services more thoroughly and make more difficult decisions on what we offer based on financial viability.
“Thanet, Dover and Canterbury have all reviewed face to face services and are closing several outlying offices.
“We are trying to give people other opportunities to communicate with us, uploading information to us is a good option for the majority of people but we want to look at individuals so if someone needs to use the office and they are being disadvantaged contact us and we will do what we can to help.”
Ms Read said waste services were looking at how containers could be made sturdier, and so need replacing less, and Ramsgate Town Council, based in Custom House, would provide the replacement red bag and smaller recycling containers.
She added: “We are in discussion with the town council about additional services.”
The York Street office will be closed next month.
Gateway services
For people who choose to use the Gateway office in Margate a drop-in service runs from 9am to 12.30pm. Afternoon sessions, between 1,30pm and 5pm, are by appointment only.