Kettering borough council does more for less
Local Government Minister Baroness Hanham visits a new 1-stop-shop for council services.
Baroness Hanham visits the new blood testing unit
Baroness Hanham visited Kettering on 13 January 2011 to see how the Borough has streamlined services, to give residents easy access to key front line services, while saving taxpayers money.
Lady Hanham visited the Borough Council’s customer service centre to officially open the new addition to the 1-stop-shop - the NHS, blood testing unit. Within the centre, Kettering residents have easy access to 18 services, provided by the council and other public bodies. These services include council bill payment, housing advice, as well as advice on jobs and legal matters, all conveniently housed under one roof.
The 1-stop-shop concept, is a creative way to improve services to residents, while making the best use of shared buildings.
Baroness Hanham said:
“The inclusion of the blood testing service within the centre, is a vital contribution to the concept of shared services. This is a facility which I am certain will be well used, and prevent patients from having to go to hospital, for this small, but essential procedure.
“It was evident from my visit that the inclusive nature of the services within the building was being well supported and of relevance to the many people receiving help.
“Kettering customer services 1-stop-shop, is a good example of what can be achieved, when councils and other public bodies look at creative ways of managing their assets. By bringing together services, so that residents who need to make use of them can do so in one place, makes these services more effective. Kettering is to be commended for its forward thinking in developing this centre.”