WORKING practices at Brentwood Borough Council are languishing in the 1970s and need to be modernised to reflect residents' expectations and lifestyles.
That is the claim of Councillor Russell Quirk, who wants the authority to extend its working hours and allow its services to be accessible more frequently.
He has put a formal motion to the council about this, yet his suggestion has been rubbished by Conservative council leader Louise McKinlay – who says he is lagging nine months behind her own plans to transform working practices at the town hall.
Mr Quirk, who represents Hutton North, said most working people only found time to call council services once their own day had ended.
He said: "I think we are doing taxpayers an enormous injustice that you can't speak to anyone after 5pm Monday to Thursday, and after 4.30pm on Friday.
"I can't believe this has not been addressed before but I want to drag us kicking and screaming from the 1970s and ensure that we understand that we need to do things to reflect the modern era.
"I don't think it is too much to ask of a council that you are able to speak to someone on urgent business until 6pm Monday to Friday and between 9am to 1am on Saturdays.
"It's unbelievable that you can't get to speak to anyone after 4.30pm on a Friday.
"Imagine not being able to speak to a utility company or an insurance company after then."
Mr Quirk added that the council could use private sector firms to take messages out of hours and believes that better automatic telephone menus could serve residents better.
However, Mrs McKinlay, who also represents Hutton North, gave Mr Qurik's motion short shrift.
She said: "This is a motion that doesn't cover all aspects, is nine months out of date and is already being worked on as part of the transformation.
"In addition, Russell Quirk has previously voted against this."
"His motion is out of date, is only half the answer and we are already dealing with it."
Mrs McKinlay said that between 2013 and 2016 it will be easier for customers to access services.
"Our new ways of working will not just be about longer working hours but the use of a one-stop shop and better use of the internet," she said.
"All of this is underway.
"It begs the question why he voted against this when it was discussed."
Cllr Quirk though said he believes Cllr McKinlay is using vague rhetoric to cover all eventualities.
He said: "Louise has never proposed to extend the working hours of the council.
"If you find any evidence of that I'll eat my socks.
"I don't deal with vague rhetoric, I deal with specifics."