CONCERNS over access to services has put a temporary halt to the closure of three council One Stop Shops - but their future still hangs in the balance.

The shops in Batchley, Winyates and Woodrow had a planned closure date of June 30, angering thousands of residents, but that has now been put off for further investigations to take place.

The decision to close the three outlying shops, while keeping the main one at the town hall open, was made at a full council meeting on September 17 last year as part of the council's budget strategy for 2007/08.

But, after consulting with customers using the services at the three One Stop Shops, council officers fear many residents will lose out if they shut completely.

Since the decision to close them was made, the three have been operating on a part time basis.

The council can now look at whether it should completely close them, to continue with the existing part time opening arrangements, which would require the re-investment of £52,000, or re-install the full service with a re-investment of £141,000.

The main area for concern is whether all residents will still have easy access to paying bills and advisory services if the shops do shut.

Council leader Carole Gandy said: "We always said we wanted to be sure every opportunity was looked at to still be able to deliver services across these areas.

"I would like to thank officers for all their hard work in compiling this information so far. We need to look at all the alternatives further so people will not lose out on vital services."

It was agreed that officers prepare and present a future report to the executive committee.

The report should detail the potential opportunities and options, including financial implications of a range of access channels to services and present details to the next executive meeting on the feasibility of introducing additional methods of payment for council rents and other debts.