A decision to cut face-to-face hours at a council's customer service centre has been described as "deplorable".

In-person visits to the reception desk at Three Rivers House in Rickmansworth will be reduced following a decision by Three Rivers District Council's policy and resources committee on June 14.

When the council offices reopen to the public after Covid restrictions are eased, there will be revised permanent opening hours.

Before the pandemic, residents in Three Rivers were able to seek advice and support face-to-face at the customer service desk until 5.30pm almost every weekday.

But under the new hours, in-person visits will stop at 4pm.

Committee chairman and district council leader Sarah Nelmes says as the council moves forward out of the pandemic, staff will switch to an "agile" way of working, reducing unnecessary travel.

But Labour group leader Steve Cox believes it is the wrong decision.

He said: "Labour does not support this move by the Liberal Democrats, backed by the Conservatives, to slash opening hours post-Covid.

"The public are suffering a reduction in the counter service of nine-and-a-half hours a week. That is 38 hours a month and over 400 hours a year they will not be available to use the counter service.

"No justification was put forward in the meeting. The report presented to councillors made no mention of the present opening hours, and instead, just gave the new hours, there was no justification, facts or figures provided.

"These cuts will negatively impact the ability of the public to access services face-to-face at the council’s offices. It is a deplorable and draconian decision.

"Clearly opening hours could be maintained and staffed in accordance with demand, but that is not what they are putting forward. The Liberal Democrats claim to be 'listening, caring and competent' but have a funny way of showing it."

The new hours will see Three Rivers House open from 9-4 Monday to Friday.

Cllr Nelmes said after the meeting: "The council has been able to increase and improve access to many of our services online over the past two years and the majority of our customers now use this facility to access information, report problems and pay bills at all hours of the night and day.

"As we move forward and restrictions due to the pandemic are all lifted, the council will in line with many employers support agile working for staff, thus reducing unnecessary travel and the resultant carbon emissions."

Cllr Nelmes says the lunchtime period is usually busiest for visits by members of the public to the council offices, with "very little uptake" during the early and later hours.

She continued: "In order to make the best use of our resources and not have people available but not being kept busy the proposal was agreed to reduce the opening hours of the customer service centre at Three Rivers House for in-person visits.

"This does not affect the telephone service and as stated the online service. Appointments will also be available outside the reception opening hours. These hours will be kept under review and if it appears there is demand it may be that the agile working means we can offer extended hours of access at times."

Conservative group leader Alex Hayward said: "Based on the findings presented at the meeting the new hours appeared reasonable. If the residents feel this is not acceptable then please can they let us know as the council is there to best serve the residents and not cut services that are required."