A NEWLY-COMPLETED one-stop council inquiries office will lead to much better service for residents, say council chiefs.

The Richmondshire District Council community office will open on Monday in a converted church in Zetland Square, Dundas Street, Richmond.

The up-to-date office will be able to deal with rent, council tax and service payments. Advice on planning, benefits, council tax and housing issues will also be available.

At present, inquiries have to be made at one of four council offices in the town.

"Opening the new community office will clarify council business for residents," said head of community offices Carole Dew.

"Currently, people may have to traipse between four different offices in town, but very soon that'll be a thing of the past.

"There will no longer be any confusion over which building you need to go to for the particular service you need - you can access them all under one roof."

Work to convert the church started six months ago. A secure cash counter, private consultation rooms and a meeting room have been installed.

"In comparison to our current accommodation, the difference for staff and customers will be amazing," said community office deputy Denise Cowey.

"It's a beautiful building; light and airy, but practical.

"The team can't wait to start working here, and I am sure all our regular customers, particularly families and disabled people, will really appreciate the new office."

The Richmond community office is the fifth to be opened in the district. Similar facilities have been built in Leyburn, Hawes, Colburn and Reeth.

"The Richmond community office is a great achievement," said council deputy leader Councillor Richard Dunn.

"This council aims to use all the technology and resources at our disposal to offer residents access to our services however, wherever and whenever they want.

"Improvements to our website over the next few months will also help achieve this aim."

A new telephone call centre will open in November.

Council chiefs hope the centre will enable the authority to deal with 80 per cent of telephone calls without having to transfer them.