MEMBERS of the public needing to make face-to-face enquiries at financially challenged Somerset Council will need to visit a different building from tomorrow (Friday, December 1).

The reception desk at A Block in Taunton's County Hall is closing today (Thursday, November 30) as the local authority seeks to cut costs in a desperate attempt to avoid bankruptcy.

Instead, people whose queries cannot be handled online or over the phone are being redirected to the Customer Service Point at Deane House, in the county town's Belvedere Road.

The service team there will be able to deal with queries about blue badges, council tax, homelessness and benefits.

READ MORE: Somerset Council's financial crisis.

A council spokesperson said the section of A Block housing the reception area will be "closed off as part of measures taken in response to the financial emergency to reduce costs".

They added that the Deane House "is more accessible for customers than County Hall".

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council lead member for communities, housing and culture, said: “Whether customers need to ask about blue badges, council tax, homelessness or benefits, our customer services team at Deane House, Station Road, Taunton, will be happy to help.

“Parking is available close to Deane House and it’s on several bus routes so is accessible.

"Our staff look forward to welcoming customers, whatever their enquiry may be.”

The cutback at County Hall, which is Somerset Council's HQ, is among a series of cost saving measures under consideration, including potential widespread redundancies.

The council's latest budget papers published this week show the in-year overspend for 2023/24 stands at £19million, while the budget gap for 2024/25 is £87million.