TOWN councillors have called for job centre bosses to take action to set up a much-needed office in Bordon.

The plea came at MondayÕs meeting of Whitehill Town Council after proposals were put together by Jobcentre Plus, which could leave Bordon residents out in the cold.

As previously reported, Jobcentre Plus, which was developed through the amalgamation of the Employment Service and parts of the Benefits Agency, has drawn up plans to create an integrated service in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

This means that new JobCentre Plus offices will be opening in 18 locations in the county, one of which will be sited in either Bordon or Alton.

This has caused much disgust in both towns as Alton already has a job centre and plans to relocate LiphookÕs job centre to Bordon were approved last year by the Secretary of State for employment.

If the plans get the green light then either LiphookÕs job centre will close with no replacement in Bordon or AltonÕs will close.

Town clerk Linda Tiley told councillors on Monday that the Bordon area, which includes Headley and Headley Down, has a higher unemployment rate than other areas and more people of employable age in receipt of benefits.

ÒWe have a much higher need for a job centre than other areas,Ó said Mrs Tiley.

And Neil Ockenden cited the ÒappallingÓ public transport system serving the town as an important reason for Bordon to get the job centre.

ÒThe majority of people do not own magic carpets, which means they cannot get to Petersfield or Alton. Can we reiterate these points once again,Ó he said.

And he said it was high time that job centre bosses lived up to their promises.

ÒWe have had promise after promise broken. It is time for action. If they intend to close Liphook as agreed, I propose that steps are taken to open one in Bordon as soon as possible,Ó said Mr Ockenden.

Members agreed and the council will now be submitting its full response to JobCentre Plus outlining the need for a local facility.

The townÕs fight against the proposals, which would leave either Bordon or Alton without a job centre, has been backed by MP James Arbuthnott and EHDC.

At last WednesdayÕs (July 24) EHDC full council meeting councillors agreed to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposals.

And it will put forward the following comments to Jobcentre Plus, Pensions and MPs.

ÒThis council welcomes the development of Jobcentre Plus, which combines the existing job centres with the Benefits Agency. We are pleased that Hampshire has been chosen as one of the next areas to receive this integrated service.

ÒThis will improve access to benefits advice, especially emergency help, which is currently only available in Aldershot or Winchester and this council wishes to strongly object to the proposal to relocate Jobcentre Plus offices in either Bordon or Alton.

ÒBoth these towns which each serve surrounding rural communities require a local centre for employment advice and support coupled with the new in-work welfare benefits service.

ÒSuch offices need to be fully accessible for people who rely on scant public transport.Ó

Comments sent to Jobcentre Plus will be considered over the next few months before a decision on where the new-look centre will open is taken.