Northamptonshire County Council’s number for general enquiries changes to 0300 126 1000 from December 1, 2011. The new number replaces the 01604 236236 number and the council says this means everyone in the county calling from a landline will be charged at a local rate, regardless of their own area code. (03 numbers must by law cost the same as landline calls for all operators, including inclusion in any "free minutes".)
The council is urging its "customers" to update their current contact details to "make sure they can get through if they do need to call". Anyone calling the council will now access an automated call-handling system, which requires callers to press a number to choose the council service they want to contact. The council claims its most popular and frequently requested services will be at the top of the list to ensure getting through to the right department will be as quick and easy as possible.
The council stresses that telephoning is not the only way to access its information and services and suggests Northamptonshire residents use its website, which it says is constantly being developed and updated to improve the range of features on offer. An iPhone or Android app can now also be downloaded to make access to the website easier from a mobile device, and there are Facebook and Twitter accounts available to enable anyone interested in keeping abreast of new developments at the county council. (Help with using the website is available from local libraries throughout the county.)