Plan for police counters in Angus libraries

Council looking to make better use of its offices by creating one-stop shops with libraries, police counters and ACCESS offices all in the one place

People will now be able to contact the police in libraries as part of plans to integrate Angus Council’s ACCESS offices and libraries.

Police counters in Montrose, Brechin and Carnoustie were axed as the new body sought to achieve more than £60 million of savings.

Montrose Lib Dem councillor David May said: “I hope that as some police counters in Angus, such as the one in Montrose, have been closed it will also mean that local people can contact these one-stop shops with issues which can be directly referred to the police as in my view this is very important to have this face to face contact.

“The closure of the police counters has in my view been a bad decision for many local people as it has meant it is now much more difficult to directly report issues and make contact with the police.

“The idea of a one stop shop involving the police would help to improve this situation so I support it.”

Councillors approved the initial phase of £2.3m investment in the integration programme for Carnoustie, Forfar and Montrose libraries.

The estimated cost of the full integration programme is £4.2m, with all work due to be completed by 2021.

Ian Cochrane, head of technical and property services, said: “As part of the council’s service review, a detailed examination was undertaken to investigate the possibility of integrating the ACCESS offices and libraries.

“Part of the transformational change to the service will be the provision of Police Scotland counter services on a limited basis within each burgh.

“The joint ACCESS/police facility at Monifieth will transfer to Monifieth Library.

“Alongside this multi-use facility will be the ability of all council employees and Angus Agile staff to make best use of the available drop-in spaces and meeting rooms.

“In addition the facilities will offer maximum flexibility as a result of activity spaces which will allow delivery of community-run events and a comprehensive community support service to all our stakeholders from a range of providers.

“Stakeholders will be consulted on their potential use and hours of operation.” gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk