Bristol City Council accused over help centre closures threat

People who use help centres threatened with closure have accused Bristol City Council of carrying out consultation after decisions have been made.

The council is looking to shut six of the seven Customer Service Points across the city, and wants residents to use automated and online services instead.

Speakers at the first of two invitation-only consultation meetings raised a range of concerns about the proposals.

Many felt they weren't being consulted, merely being informed of decisions that had already been made, and that not everyone had access or interest in the internet.

Fears were also raised that elderly people, the disabled, the poor and non-English speakers would suffer if there were less opportunities for face-to-face contact, and argued a service they paid for was being taken away from them.

The CSPs are based at Phoenix Court near Cabot Circus, Redcliff Hill, Fishponds, Hartcliffe, Knowle, Lawrence Weston and Southmead.

The council's "vision" is to eventually shut all but the flagship Phoenix House, opening two more at the forthcoming Southmead Hospital and the Hengrove Campus site to replace them.

Before this the council wants to phase in a reduced face-to-face service over the next two years, moving Knowle to the Broadwalk Centre, closing Bedminster and reducing others to two or three days a week.

Since the proposals were leaked to the Evening Post earlier this month, the council has extended the consultation period from November 19 to December 18 and increased the time it proposes to make the changes to June 2010 and March 2011.

Around 20 people attended the first consultation meeting at the Council House, including representatives of groups for the elderly, disabled, ethnic minorities and gay and lesbian organisations.

The council is looking to provide freephones, self-service points in post offices and libraries across Bristol, but as speakers pointed out, these are being closed.

Gemma Lindsey of Education Action Challenging Homophobia said: "I think it's tough to get to Phoenix Court once you've closed all these locations.

"It's an access issue for poor people. Not everyone has the money to put credit on their phones."

Judith Brown of Older People's Forum said: "How can the council improve services while cutting face-to-face contact? It doesn't make sense to us.

"Older people are going to have trouble with the new system, trouble coping with changes, transport, self service and mobility."

Speaking before the meeting, Councillor Mike Popham, member for efficiency and value for money said: "Nothing is set in stone, this is a genuine consultation on the proposals to modernise customer access to council services and we welcome views on all the plans."

"All these views will be considered when we draw up the final plans."