MID Devon District Council closed its counter service at the Council Offices, in Market Street, Crediton, on Thursday, March 31. It said it was no longer able to afford to pay for the service, one which the public regarded as of much-valued.

Up until the office closed, the three members of staff helped customers to plan for the change, for example by providing information on how to make a payment in the Post Office, online or over the telephone.

The District Council has now replaced the office with a fortnightly surgery for enquiries only on Mondays from 10am to 2pm, starting on April 11.

The council said that enquiries can be made by contacting it by telephone on 01884 255255.

Crediton Town Council has now moved from upstairs to downstairs in the Council Offices and is now operating a part-time counter service.

Mrs Sandy Blake, who has worked for Mid Devon District Council and has a wealth of experience in customer service and local government, will be joining the Crediton Town Council team in May.

Mrs Blake has worked for Mid Devon District Council for the past 31 years.

The CAB and Crediton and District Community Transport Association will still operate from the Council Offices.

The leaving staff put up a notice on the last day which read: “Sandie, Pat and Diane thank all our customers for their patience, help and courtesy over the many years we have known them.”

The staff also served coffee, kindly supplied by Crediton Coffee Company, and cakes and biscuits to callers on the last day.

Alan Quick