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Front-line jobs will go
• WHEN questioned about posts moving to Manchester, the council will state it is only what they call “back-office jobs” – jobs that do not deal with the public face to face. Two of the areas proposed for moving up north are parking services and Contact Islington. It is clear from the speed of these proposals they have been drawn up some time ago.
As a resident of Islington, I recently needed to get a parking permit for a car. I had chosen to downsize to reduce CO2 emissions. The council website stated I could only apply by post for a permit and that the ability to get permits over the counter ended on December 22. This would mean I could not park the car in Islington for up to five days.
I contacted my councillor about the ridiculousness of getting a smaller car only to discover the council had made it impossible to park it.
My councillor informed me that if I phoned up it could still be sorted over the counter. The advice was correct. But I was then informed that this was only available while people got used to applying by post and that very soon even this limited counter service would not be available.
Let me guess: the council is moving the service to Manchester. It is misleading people by saying front-line services will not be affected, by preparing the ground in advance.
It is also a little hypocritical when you take into account the valid fuss many of the council leadership are making over the closure of post offices. They should think again.
ANDREW BERRY
Deputy secretary, Islington Uniso
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