New opportunity to get help from the council

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North Somerset Council has launched drop in sessions at locations across the area to make it easier for residents to get help.

The quickest and easiest way of accessing council services is to go online (https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/do-it-online) but some people aren’t able to do this.

The council is trialling a new scheme where officers are visiting libraries across the area to speak to people in person.

Drop-in sessions are being held at the following times and library locations:

Healthy Living Centre on Monday from 10am to 2pm 
Pill on Tuesday from10am to 2pm 
Nailsea on Wednesday from 10am to 2pm
Yatton on Thursday from 10am to 2pm 
Portishead    on Friday from 10am to 2pm. 

Cllr Ash Cartman, North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for customer services said: "We are trialling this service for people who can’t get council services online or by phone in order that people can access the help they need. People will be seen on a first-come, first served basis and if the officer doesn’t have an immediate answer to the enquiry, an appointment can be made for a later date or a call back arranged."

"We would encourage anyone that can get online or on the phone to continue to access services this way in order to free up the face-to-face sessions for those who really need them."

"We are keen to be as accessible as possible and provide help in the right way to local residents and businesses. Online and phone services are not for everyone but they are an important way of keeping costs down so that we focus council taxpayers money on delivering services."

Officers have received a large number of queries about a variety of council services but popular areas include Council Tax, school admissions, housing and help with bus pass applications.