By Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
Islanders can no longer seek help and advice from the IW Council’s contact centre at the weekend, after the authority cut the service’s opening hours to save money.
Opening times of the centre at County Hall, Newport, have been reduced as of April 1. It means the service is opening later, closing earlier, and there is now no weekend support at all. It will only be available from Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm.
The contact centre is open for Islanders in the heart of Newport, to seek help and advice from the team on a number of issues, including council tax and financial queries — or they can point you in the right direction to a service which can help.
Previously, it was open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.
The decision to cut the hours was made as part of the IW Council’s budget-saving measures in February and will save the authority £29,400.
The council also operates help centres in Ryde and Newport, where residents can book face-to-face appointments to seek help.
You can book an appointment for either County Hall or Ryde Library by phoning 823134.
Isle of Wight Observer