This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
SELF-SERVICE, SELF-HELP TO BECOME THE NORM IN FRESHWATER AND SANDOWN
Island residents are being encouraged to undertake online interactions with the council from the comfort of their own homes, via the council’s website: www.iwight.com. Residents can:
- pay council tax or parking fines
- change their address
- check waste collection days
- apply for housing benefit or council tax support
- access other information and guidance.
Online interaction with the council has been upgraded, which means that online activities are now even more quick and simple to use.
Go online instead
From Tuesday 1 September, residents who have formerly used the library-based Freshwater Help Centre to liaise with the council will be able to save time by going online to access this service via a dedicated self-help computer at Freshwater library instead.
The dedicated self-help computer has been set up within the library to make sure that those without any home internet facilities can continue to access council services. The online, self-service portal in the library will allow residents to quickly and easily complete any transactions with the council, reducing the need to wait for staff to become available.
Library staff will be on hand to assist, if possible, with accessing the internet, but will not be in a position to manage individual queries.
Isle Help
The council recently entered into a partnership with local Isle Help CIC (Community Interest Company). Isle Help helps people and communities to make choices based on knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, by providing independent advice, information and guidance to residents.
This partnership is being developed further to see what additional help services they can assist the council in delivering, some of which may include some of the services provided by the Help Centres formerly, for example, document checks.
End to Help Centre and the Cash Office
Help Centre and the Cash Office services at Sandown will end on Friday 11 September. Similarly, a dedicated self-service PC will be set up within Sandown library for members of the public to use, to interact with the council.
Help Centre services at Newport and Ryde will continue, but these will be on an appointment basis for those enquires that have a genuine need to be dealt with in person. Self-help computers will also be available at these help centres to allow residents arriving in person to quickly and easily complete any transaction with the council.
Most happy to access services online
Executive Member for Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Councillor Ian Stephens, said:
“When we consulted with residents about Help Centres earlier this year, responses showed that most people would be happy to access services using the internet or via telephone; 77 per cent of respondents have already used these methods to contact the council in the past.
“These changes to our Help Centre provision promote a self-service initiative that will ultimately save our residents time in the way they interact with us. It may take some getting used to, certainly, but in time, it will be second nature for both residents and staff.”
Helping the council save money
By undertaking transactions with residents online, it also helps the council to save vital funds.
It costs in excess of £8 for each face-to-face transaction at a Help Centre, whereas doing this online costs around 15 pence.
Image: fredcintra under CC BY 2.0
