Cutting through council red-tape

OLDHAMERS can now visit a new information centre to find out more about council services.

Access Oldham — formerly the One Stop Shop — has been refurbished to make it more user friendly.

The building, which is next to the bus station at the civic centre, has been designed in line with the council’s new identity.

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “This investment will make it easier for people to deal with the council and its partner organisations in one place.

“It is easy to forget that the council is responsible for providing over 800 separate services and if we are to ensure that citizens get the answers to their questions, it is vital that we have in place the staff and facilities to help them.” The £270,000 project was funded, designed and project-managed by Unity Partnership — the council’s joint venture partner with consulting and business services group Mouchel. Key design features include more contact points, a new queuing system, private interview areas and extra seating.