SOMERSET NEWS: Births, deaths and marriages offices to close

AROUND £105,000 is set to be saved over four years as the result of changes to the Registration Service for births, deaths and marriages in Somerset.

A key decision was taken by Somerset County Council to approve proposed changes to deliver the service where customers most need it – which will mean closing the offices at Wincanton and Wellington.

Cllr David Hall, who has responsibility for the Registration Service, said: “This decision follows public and customer consultation as well as engagement with local members and discussions with the General Register Office.

“The new service will be focussed on delivering from locations where the public want it most and not from buildings and locations that are not being used nearly enough.”

Further plans to modernise the service include the re-location of offices to improve access for customers and the creation of a dedicated online and telephone appointment booking facility.

Wellington and Wincanton offices will close after detailed analysis of customer behaviour showed they were being used for an average of just three hours a-week.

Services will continue to be offered from ten other sites across the County with no further closures planned.

The registration offices at Taunton, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Chard, Frome, Minehead, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Williton and Yeovil remain open.

Further contact details for those offices can be found at this link:  http://www.somerset.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths/registry-offices/

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