COUNCIL bosses have approve plans to spend nearly £250,000 refurbishing Poole Civic Centre reception - which would include a new self-service kiosk, children's play zone and baby changing facilities.

Borough of Poole deputy leader, Cllr May Haines, agreed the funding for the project.

It comes after a full review of the reception facilities which highlighted a number of issues with the current environment, say the council.

According to a report on the proposals the current facilities, which have not been updated since the centre opened in 1987, "do not meet minimum disabled access requirements" and provide a "very poor experience".

It also highlights a lack of privacy for customers, a cramped waiting area with insufficient seating and small interview rooms.

The report also said that staff who have worked in that area have highlighted "poor working conditions, customer demand pressure and the negative environment they had to work in" as reasons for leaving the council.

The refurbishment will see the current cash office removed and replaced with customer meeting booths, a new disabled and autism friendly interview room, a child zone and baby changing facilities, and a smaller reception desk.

Self service facilities will be relocated to the main reception with computer terminals and a payment kiosk for customers that cannot pay by direct debit and still require a cash facility.

There are also plans to introduce an appointment system for customers with complex enquiries.

The total cost is expected to be £245,000 - £216,000 for the refurbishment and £29,000 for the new payment kiosk.

So far £153,000 has been funded by various established budgets and reserves leaving a £92,000 funding gap, which will be met by capital contingency.

Details of the refurbishment costs come as the council attempts to find £2.7m worth of savings by next month in order to balance its budget for the upcoming financial year.

The council has already delivered cuts to services and staff, including axing weekly black bin collections across the borough and asking staff to agree to a wage freeze.

Cllr Haines, portfolio holder for finance, operations and community engagement, said: "The planned modernisation of the service provisions will guarantee that the Civic Centre is an accessible place for all residents of Poole.

"All modern facilities being implemented, including the self-service kiosks, have been proven to reduce queuing times and lower the resources required, along with providing privacy for those who do not wish to engage in a face-to-face conversation, but customer advisors will be on hand to assist those who require help with the self-service facilities.

“Many people who use the customer enquiry centre are in a vulnerable position, and this much-needed refurbishment will help to create a space that is comfortable and unintimidating, helping those in need achieve the best possible start to their process."