DUDLEY Council is now opening it doors to face-to-face enquiries but the public is still being urged to use other methods like websites if they can. 

Residents can now visit Dudley Council Plus office in Priory Street from 10am to 3pm on weekdays for essential meetings with a limited number of staff.

But Cllr Simon Phipps, cabinet member responsible for Dudley Council Plus, is asking residents to keep visits to a minimum and use social media as much as possible.

He said: “There are many other ways people can contact the council about a range of services, which have proven extremely popular while they have been running throughout lockdown. This includes email, telephone, online forms, the council app, social media and many more.

“A small number of staff are available to speak to people face-to-face in essential circumstances, and a range of measures are being put in place to allow us and members of the public to maintain crucial social distancing.

“Ultimately, the safest way for people to contact us is either online or over the phone – this not only helps us continue to operate hundreds of services, but also keeps staff and the public safe.”

Visitors will be asked to wear face masks and observe social distancing rules.

Residents wanting to deliver or scan documents, enquire about right to buy housing applications, return keys, end tenancies or needing emergency housing can use the service. 

More than 100,000 people a month have been using the council’s website since lockdown began in March.

Dudley Council Plus has also dealt with 7,000 emails, online forms, social media enquiries and requests while more than 80,000 calls have been made to the centre.