THE beleaguered Worcestershire Hub telephone service will be placed under the official microscope during the next six months.

It will be one of three areas to be examined by Worcestershire County Council’s overview and scrutiny board.

Cross-party councillors will look into problems suffered by users of the service – meant to be a simple way for people in south Worcestershire to call their councils.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, almost one in five calls made to the hub were abandoned last year by people fed up with being put on hold for long spells. The board’s chairman Tom Wells said: “There have been very long waiting times for residents to access the services. It appears that many calls are aborted.

“Also, the public raises an issue, but there’s concern that the message isn’t then getting through.”

The decision to examine the hub was made on Tuesday, October 13, at an informal meeting of the board, which is responsible for scrutinising council decisions.

Councillors also decided to concentrate on what the county council could do to offset the recession and support local businesses.

Coun Wells said: “For example, we can make sure we pay invoices as promptly as possible. There are lots of ways we can make a difference and be seen to do as much as we can.”

The third issue identified by the board was to look at how adults involved with social services are safeguarded. Coun Wells said: “We want to make sure that the total package of care is there for those with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, particularly for those who have transferred from children’s services.”

Coun Wells said no specific issue had prompted the focus but national stories about social services and children had caused concern.

The board will concentrate on the issues between now and April next year.