A NEW Year initiative by West Devon Borough Council will see the start of regular 'surgeries' in rural communities to help residents take up scores of council services of which they may not be aware. On Tuesday January 9, new drop in surgeries will begin at Hatherleigh Community Centre, where council officers will be joined by representatives from a wide range of organisations who will be offering help and advice. The initiative to bring the agencies under one umbrella to provide the surgeries has been led by the council. It is hoping to roll out similar events in the next 12 months to other rural communities in the borough. Council customer service advisors and officers from planning, housing and environmental health will be joined by representatives from Job Centre Plus, Devon's Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, West Devon Care and Repair and West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau. Police Community Support Officer Denton Williams will also be on hand. Cllr Dennis Bater, the West Devon Borough Councillor, who represents Hatherleigh, said: 'I'm delighted that the council is bringing out its services to the town and I hope that residents make the very most of what the event will offer them. 'They must use it and I think those that do will be very surprised at the services they may not be aware of.' The first session, on January 9, will be from 9am until 4pm but further surgeries will be held every Tuesday at the centre from 9am to 2pm until Easter. Every visitor will receive a free energy efficient light bulb. Council services available at the surgery will include viewing planning applications electronically, requesting a recycle box, reporting street cleaning or dog fouling complaints, finding out more about the council's Homefinder scheme, receiving information on how to apply for housing benefit and council tax benefit, and applying for a Devon Wide Free Bus Pass — for eligible residents aged 60 years and over or with disabilities. If you want to find out more about the surgery, contact a borough council customer service advisor on 01822 813600 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]
