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Information and service at the touch of a screen
Spelthorne Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Staines have both recently introduced touch-screen self service kiosks to enable residents to look up information on a range of useful topics.

The CAB kiosk, which is situated in the reception area of the Staines bureau, allows residents to access information on dozens of subjects including debt, family issues, consumer affairs, housing, immigration and employment. The kiosk is expected to be particularly useful when the bureau is busy and for those people who are happy to look up information themselves. People can still see an Advisor if they prefer not to use the kiosk or if they can’t find the information they require.

The information kiosk was funded by Spelthorne Council who passed on savings from the reduction in VAT on car park charges to the CAB to help support residents during the credit crunch.

Danny Kington, Manager of Staines CAB said: “Our community has needed better access to information for a long time.The recession has hit many people hard and we are very grateful that Spelthorne Council has enabled the bureau to bring this facility to local residents.Since it was installed on 1 September, no fewer than 106 people have used the kiosk.”

The kiosk at Spelthorne Council is placed in the reception area at the Council Offices in Knowle Green and allows residents to read information about housing, planning and benefits as well as being able to view the Spelthorne Council and Surrey County Council websites. Residents can also use to kiosk to make payments for a number of services including meals on wheels, Spelride and allotment fees.

Cllr Andrew Hirst, Cabinet Member for Communications and Engagement said: “We aim to make information easily accessible for residents and the kiosk provides a really good way of giving quick and accurate information to people who don’t have internet access at home. I think residents are becoming much more familiar with this sort of technology and will appreciate the convenience of being able to access information at the touch of a button – no need to queue.”