There was praise for union co-operation at Thurrock Council's cabinet last week (Thursday) as members discussed a "vision for customer services."

Plans for "same-stop shops and contact centres" meant "we have all got to pull together, different departments working together and in different ways," said Coun Peter Maynard.

"For this to work it was vital that we had the backing of the unions and we should thank them for that," he added.

Three trial initiatives are being organised and if successful, the scheme will spread across the borough.

In Chadwell St Mary the plan is to launch the scheme in March.

Front desk services currently provided by the council's neighbourhood and housing office will be integrated into Chadwell library, enabling access to a since reception area.

Coun Maynard said discussions were being held with the police and it was hoped they would also be represented in the scheme, adding that, "in Chadwell it will mean we are open six days instead of five."

Over time, more council services will be available from the same counter.

Council leader Andy Smith said: "This is a very valuable and exciting proposal which we hope to extend across the council in the future.

"The same stop shop will bring immediate benefits to the residents of Chadwell.

"Instead of people having to travel into Grays to access certain services, they will soon be able to do everything from their own local library - this is our vision for customer services."

The two other trials are in Grays - where a similar single-counter service will be provided on the ground floor of the civic offices, including education - and a customer contact centre aimed at bringing together telephone services currently provided by various different departments into a single call centre.

Published Monday January 14, 2002