Lewes District Council has officially opened its new one stop customer reception at Southover House, Southover Rd, in Lewes. The energy efficient, modern office and one stop customer reception for all the council’s services is proving to be a success with residents and council service users where they have been able to access all the council services in one building since 21st October.
Councillor James Page, Leader of Lewes District Council said “As part of our unswerving commitment to customer service we have consolidated our workspaces into two main offices, Southover House in Lewes and Fort Road in Newhaven. Users of the council’s services no longer have to visit offices spread around Lewes town and make a number of different trips. In addition we have exceeded our cost saving target in relation to office overhead costs. We have reduced the office overhead costs for each member of staff from £2,240 to just £1,340.”
Building works to Southover House started in February 2013 with a phased approach of working wing by wing and floor by floor. Throughout the refurbishment staff continued to provide services to residents and businesses. The work was completed in just nine months with well over half of the projected savings already achieved.
Contractors worked with staff to ensure the work was completed on schedule. The main contractor was Pilbeam’s and the architects were ECE Architecture. Quantity Surveyors were Currie and Brown and Environmental Design Services (Seaford) designed lighting and air conditioning. Portsdown Office Furniture (Hampshire) supplying office equipment.
Lewes District Council has invested in technology that will deliver better services to all users.