BOSSES at East Renfrewshire Council have defended a decision to cut opening hours at its customer service centre.

Operating times of the centre, based in Barrhead’s Main Street, have been reduced from 8am until 6pm to 8.45am until 4.45pm, Monday to Friday.

The payment centre’s opening hours have also been changed, to 9am until 4.15pm, Monday to Friday, with credit and debit card-only payments to be made between 1pm and 2pm.

Council chiefs have said the changes are a result of increasing numbers of residents choosing to access services and resources online.

Caroline Innes, director of corporate and community services, added: “We are continuously looking at our services and processes to see how they could be improved by digital technology to benefit both our communities and our staff.

“We’re committed to supporting communities so they can access our online services and resources and being there for them on social media or live chat if they need advice.

“Focusing on these areas will allow us to provide the infrastructure necessary to make self-service easier, which in turn frees up our resources and staff time for the people who need it most.”

The council is encouraging residents to access online services to pay or check their council tax, notify a change of address, make a rent payment, apply for housing benefit/council tax reduction, apply for a new waste bin or request a bulky waste collection.

Fixed penalty notices and parking fines can also be paid online and residents can report dog fouling, flytipping, graffiti, missed waste collection, potholes and other environmental concerns.

This can be done at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.