Okehampton Office Closing on 6 April 2018

West Devon Borough Council is reminding customers that their office on St James St, Okehampton will be closing on 6 April 2018.

Customer footfall has been falling at the office year-on-year as customers increasingly use other methods to pay their bills or to contact the Council.  It costs a massive £82,000 of taxpayer’s money each year to keep the office open.

The quickest and easiest way to pay council tax bills is by Direct Debit, which can be set up online on West Devon Borough Council’s website.  Customers who still wish to pay by cash or cheque can use any PayPoint or Post Office around the Borough by simply taking their bill and paying over the counter.

Cllr Caroline Mott, Lead Member for Customer First at West Devon Borough Council, said: “As more and more customers move to online payments, it was perhaps inevitable that we would need fewer offices.  The money saved by closing Okehampton can be spent keeping other vital services running throughout the Borough. Of course, some people will prefer face-to-face help, and we understand this, so we will be making our Locality Officers available twice a week at the Ockment Centre to help any residents who need support.”

The Locality Officers will be available every Tuesday and Friday at the Ockment Centre, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. beginning on Tuesday 10 April and Friday 13 April.

By closing the Okehampton Office and moving to a cashless system from the beginning of  April,  West Devon Borough Council will save a total of nearly £125,000 of taxpayer’s money each year. 

To use the Council online services, please go to: http://www.westdevon.gov.uk