Praise for West Lindsey Hub from minister

Employment Minister Priti Patel , centre left, with Director of Resources Ian Knowles; Coun Jeff Summers leader of West Lindsey District Council; Chairman of West Lindsey District Council Coun Angela Lawrence; Coun Giles McNeill and
Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council, Manjeet Gill EMN-160403-161118001 — Employment Minister Priti Patel , centre left, with Director of Resources Ian Knowles; Coun Jeff Summers leader of West Lindsey District Council; Chairman of West Lindsey District Council Coun Angela Lawrence; Coun Giles McNeill and Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council, Manjeet Gill EMN-160403-161118001

Ms Patel was in Gainsborough for a tour of the Public Services Hub, located in the town’s Guildhall,which has been hailed as an example of national best practice.

The Hub is one of the first arising from work with Job Centre Plus, Citizens Advice and Voluntary Centre Services.

Ms Patel was able to see how this joined up approach is helping people get back into work.

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Coun Jeff Summers was delighted to welcome the minister to the Public Services Hub.

“The visit was a great opportunity to demonstrate how well West Lindsey District Council have brought together on one site a range of services, which assist residents through a difficult and sometimes traumatic period in their life,” he said.

“The Department of Work and Pensions and the voluntary sector work together to support people back into work.

“West Lindsey was among the first district councils in the country to offer a range of different services under one roof, as well as improved customer care.

“The dedicated staff at West-Lindsey have piloted this innovative co-location for The Department of Work and Pensions ready to roll out nationally.”

As previously reported, the council set up the Public Services Hub in January last year to support the local community.

It helps people in all other aspects of getting into work, including work experience and volunteering.

There is also free IT access, with staff on hand to guide people using the internet for a range of activities, from searching and apply for jobs to paying their council tax online.

“I was very impressed to see first-hand how the co-location of the Jobcentre Plus, the council and other partners are working together to support local people into work and volunteering,” said the Employment Minister

“This is a great example of partnership working.

“At a time when we have a record number of people in work and jobs vacancies at an all-time high, there are a wealth of opportunities available, delivering economic security for Britain.”

○Opening times of the Public Services Hub are: Monday and Tuesday 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 10am to 5pm; Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Voluntary Centre Services also has sessions in Caistor and Market Rasen.