Council offices - conditions of entry

• Our reception is open from 9am to 2pm Monday to Friday for walk-in customers
  • Outside of these times we are open for pre-arranged appointments only. These are from 8.30am to 9am and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Thursday. On Friday we have the same appointment times, except we close half-an-hour early at 4.30pm
• The council offices are closed Saturdays and Sundays and on bank holidays
• We reserve the right to change these opening hours, without prior notice

In the interest of safety, customers, visitors, councillors, tenants and staff may be asked to agree to a search of their person and / or belongings and / or vehicle by staff or their representative, without providing a reason.

Anyone refusing to a search or found to be in possession of materials believed by us to be offensive, dangerous or unsuitable may be denied entry.

We do not accept liability for any damage, regardless of how it was caused, to items during a security search.

We reserve the right to determine what items are dangerous or prohibited.

Customers and visitors must always keep their personal belongings with them. Items left unattended may be removed or destroyed. We accept no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage, regardless of how it was caused, to any personal belongings brought into the offices or grounds.

Customers and visitors must comply with all directions from our staff, relevant health and safety notices, policies and announcements made. In event of a fire alarm please follow instructions by staff and evacuate the building swiftly and safely. If you need support or assistance to evacuate, please approach a member of staff.

We reserve the right to limit the number of people permitted into the council offices or reception area at any time.

Expected behaviour

Our staff will treat you with respect and we would in turn ask for the same from you.

We request that you do not:

• Smoke in the building, including e-cigarettes and vaping
• Access any areas of the building other than areas designated for access by visitors
• Use illegal drugs or consume alcohol
• Leave any children in your care unattended or allow them to behave in an antisocial manner
• Obstruct doors, stairs or the lift
• Climb or lay on any part of the building, or fabric of the building including walls, furniture and barriers

Our staff or representatives may refuse any person(s) entry or ask any person to leave, if it is believed that the person is:

• Intoxicated (the person is affected by alcohol or drugs especially to the point where physical and mental control is diminished)
• Being violent, threatening or abusive
• Behaving in an antisocial manner (including, but not limited to, using foul, abusive, racist, sexist or homophobic language or other threatening, noisy or derogatory behaviour)

In cases of serious or repeated unacceptable behaviour we may decide to ban any person from the Council Offices and grounds and include their details on our internal customers of concern register.

The offices are covered by CCTV for the protection and safety, wellbeing and security for our customers, visitors, staff, councillors, tenants and premises.