ESSEX County Council is creating pioneering new community hubs across the county which will see a range of services, such as the registration of births, deaths and marriages, all provided under one roof.

The community hubs will see registration services share space within pre-existing libraries and other community venues, such as town halls, over the coming months.

The move will mean residents will soon be able to register a birth, give notice of a marriage and receive local council services from the comfort and convenience of 18 face-to-face registration points across the county*.

Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “This year the Council needs to make over £75 million in savings in order to provide a balanced budget, and this is only going to get tougher in years to come.

“However we have been very clear that this isn’t simply about cutting costs, but actually re-modelling services to provide them in the most efficient and effective way for the taxpayer.

“We are currently in a position where in many towns the registration office is in one place, the library another, and you may need to go to the town hall in a separate location to get Council Tax, benefit or housing advice.

“We believe the common sense solution is to bring these services into one building to create a community hub within an existing space such as our libraries or town halls, which are by their nature in easily accessible locations.”

This work will be taking place over the coming months and is expected to be completed at all sites by the beginning of May.

Cllr Finch added: “The pioneering community hub concept has been a success in Colchester which has been providing library, Council Tax and benefit, health and voluntary services under one roof for over two years.

“I would like to reassure residents that all appointments to register a birth or death will continue to take place in a private and comfortable space.”

The new registration points will be:

Basildon Library
Braintree Library
Brentwood Town Hall
Burghstead Lodge, Billericay
Chelmsford Library
Clacton Library
Colchester Library and Community Hub
Dunmow Library
Epping Library
Halstead Hospital
Harlow Library
Harwich Library
Maldon Library
Rayleigh Library
Rochford Library
South Benfleet Library
Uttlesford District Council Office
Witham Library

Appointments can be booked quickly and easily online here.

In yet another move to simplify and improve services, residents can also now request a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate online which can then be posted directly to their home.

The service is now live 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Essex Record Office and is available at http://www.essexrecordoffice.co.uk/services/registration-certificates.