More information outlets available

10:38am Thursday 21st August 2008

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Re: Letter from David Jolly, Citizen newspaper, August 7, (Misled Over Advice Centre) The county council no longer have an interest in the Chorley Information Centre because Chorley Borough Council is the tenant.

Welfare Rights, a county organisation, is still based there, as is the Citizen Rights Bureau, but the rent is paid by the Borough Council.

The original proposals would have seen the Information Centre close in April 2007.

However, following representation from the public at the Chorley Lancashire Locality meeting, this decision was deferred for one year to allow alternatives and the availability of other information outlets in the Chorley area.

Officers from both the county and borough councils considered the possibilities available for information outlets in Chorley and the view was that services currently provided at the centre could be relocated to a network of information providers that currently exist in Chorley.

Libraries are becoming information gateways where both residents and visitors can access information on subjects including public transport, tourism and local government.

Many libraries in Chorley already host drop-in surgeries, run courses and hold focus groups. Chorley Library, itself, is easily accessible to the public, as is the Bus Interchange for transport information.

Don Yates, County Councillor