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Jobcentre Plus: Chard

Answer

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 20 February 2008:"The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking what discussions were held, and what meetings his officials have had, with Somerset county council before the announcement of the closure of Chard Jobcentre Plus, and if he will publish all responses to the consultation on the future of Chard Jobcentre Plus. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.""There have been no formal meetings on this issue with the county council prior to the closure announcement.""The District Manager for Dorset and Somerset wrote to Somerset county council on 17 May 2007 regarding the proposed changes to the Jobcentre Plus network in Dorset and Somerset. The letter invited comments on the proposal.""The District Manager received no direct response from the county council. However, on 28 June 2007 the council wrote to the Personal Adviser Manager, Yeovil Jobcentre Plus, expressing their opposition to the proposed closure of both Burnham-on-Sea and Chard Jobcentre Plus offices.""In their letter the county council did not request a meeting for discussions and did not include any proposals. Their letter was included in the submission to the Minister.""During the consultation period, the Somerset Jobcentre Plus Partnership Manager, attended a number of meetings also attended by Somerset county council, where the issue was raised on an ad hoc basis. No formal discussions have taken place and the Partnership Manager encouraged comments to be made formally, so they were contained in the submission to the Minister.""During a local area agreement meeting on 15 January 2008, Somerset county council stated if the outcome of the review was to close Chard Jobcentre Plus Office they would give consideration to working with Jobcentre Plus to promote flexible service delivery. Nothing formal has been received from Somerset county council.""The District Manager wrote again on 17 January 2008 informing the county council of the decision to close the Chard office and deliver our services from our larger Taunton site. This included an invitation to the county council to provide any other solutions following the closure of the Chard office.""We are currently working with partner organisations to establish flexible service delivery in the form of a job point and customer access phone in Chard town, as well as an appointment led work focused advisory service on a demand led basis. We will continue to promote the use of e-channels to access Jobcentre Plus services. The Jobcentre Plus Partnership Manager is planning to meet with the county council shortly.""I have attached a copy of all the responses received in the consultation on the future of the Chard Jobcentre Plus office copies will be placed in the House of Commons Library. I have deleted the names and address of the correspondents in accordance with data protection guidelines.""I hope this is helpful."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

472 c751-2W; 182546

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Jobcentres Somerset

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk