The proposal to close the Council Offices in Duttons Road is currently in consultation. The Proposal summarised as: The creation of a new Customer Services presence at the former Magistrates Court with the relocation of 60+ staff from Romsey to Andover. The concerns are: - The loss of 60+ jobs in Romsey when unemployment is so high. - The people from Southern Test Valley want to keep their Public Services Local, you shouldn’t have to make an appointment every time you want to speak to someone at the Council. -There is no public transport to travel the 18 miles from Romsey to Andover for customers to come and speak to certain Council Officers. -Is it really good use of tax payers money to buy another old building that will need refurbishing and have to find another venue for committee meetings? -There is room to rent out parts of the Duttons Road Offices to other groups (CAB, Test Valley Community Services, and Hampshire County Council) -Where will customers park when visiting the customer service unit in the former Magistrates Court? -The Council's own green travel policy would not be followed or promoted as all of the extra travelling needed by Romsey staff to get to Andover would increase the workforce's carbon footprint. - What will happen to the current Duttons Road site if this is to be sold? Supermarket, car park? at present the site can only be used for employment purposes...i.e. no residential development can take place.

Please sign this petition if you beleive the Council Offices should stay in Romsey.

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